The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) on Tuesday distanced itself from an ANC statement expressing support for Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande’s fee increase announcement.

This was contrary to a decision on university fee increases which the ANC’s highest decision-making body, its national executive committee, had made, ANC Youth League secretary general Njabulo Nzuza told reporters in Johannesburg.

Statements that contradicted the NEC’s decisions were “bleeding” the ANC, he said.

“In the next NEC meeting, we must question those who issue statements contrary to statements and decisions of the NEC. This is what is bleeding the organisation.”

Nzuza said as a NEC member, he was distancing himself from the statement.

"I don't know who issued that statement. All I know is that I sit in the NEC. There is no other NEC that sat after that one."

In his statement on Monday, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said Nzimande's decision represented a significant step towards the progressive realisation of free education for the poor, in line with ANC policy positions.

Kodwa could not immediately be reached for comment on Tuesday evening.

Nzimande announced on Monday that universities could decide their own fee increases for 2017, but that these could not exceed 8%. Students from households with an annual income of less than R600 000 would not have their fees increased.

Students at several universities across the country began protesting following Nzimande's announcement.