Matric exam papers for maths, physics and English home language were leaked to about 26 learners from seven schools in Pretoria, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed earlier today.

According to The Witness, Gwarube said a Department of Basic Education (DBE) official, who has a child in matric, has been implicated in the breach and has since been suspended.

Investigation widens beyond English paper

The leak initially appeared to involve only English Home Language Paper 2 after the Gauteng Department of Education flagged six scripts that closely resembled the marking guidelines, with one candidate’s answers matching the memorandum almost word for word.

However, investigations launched after the complaint revealed that the leak was more extensive.

Twenty-six learners interviewed during the probe admitted to seeing question papers for maths, physics and English Home Language before the exams.

DBE officials suspended

Gwarube said preliminary findings indicate that the breach occurred at the DBE’s offices. Those implicated have been suspended, and the matter has been reported to SAPS.

“Possessing documents that belong to the state is illegal.”

She said the question papers were believed to have been accessed and stored on a USB device before being distributed.

Integrity of results protected

Gwarube emphasised that the integrity of the national senior certificate (NSC) results remains intact, saying the breach appears to be confined to the Pretoria area.

She also issued a warning to learners writing the NSC: “When you cheat, you undermine your own future.”

Umalusi responds

Umalusi in a statement expressed ‘serious concern’ following Gwarube’s briefing on reported irregularities involving the three NSC examinations. The quality assurance body confirmed that it received a preliminary report from the DBE yesterday and, after reviewing it, is satisfied with the steps taken so far, including the matter being reported to the SAPS and the ongoing investigation to determine the full extent of the breach.

According to the statement, the DBE will present its findings to Umalusi’s executive committee during the approval of results meetings scheduled for January 6 to 8. To safeguard the independence of the investigation, Umalusi said it will not engage further with the media on the issue until January 9, when it will pronounce on the conduct and management of the 2025 national examinations.

The organisation also assured the Class of 2025, their families, higher education institutions and other stakeholders that the investigation will not delay the release of NSC results for learners not implicated in the reported irregularities.

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