The Basic Education Department confirmed this on Wednesday, saying an official investigation is now underway. 

Pupils accessed the paper before they sat for the exam via a WhatsApp group. 

"We are disappointed that indeed when we are a third away, a paper has been leaked," said Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga.

"We also confirmed that the leak surfaced in other provinces. The penalty for those involved are serious and it really pains me that adults put those learners in that position."

A rewrite is now on the cards. 

Rufus Poliah, Chief Director at the Department of Basic Education, said, "the extent of the leak will determine whether the rewrite is a national rewrite or a localised rewrite… That would be the first objective, that has to be completed by 30 November so that if a rewrite is necessary, it can be done by 15 December."

Meanwhile, the Eastern Cape and the Free State have been flagged as hotspots when it comes to Grade 12s writing exams.

In the Eastern Cape alone, 53 pupils with COVID-19 sat down to write a maths paper.

Concerns have also been raised after cluster outbreaks in the province.

With a myriad of challenges stacking up against the class of 2020, eNCA asked the minister whether any concessions will be made for this cohort. Her answer: It's too soon to tell.

eNCA