South Africa
Results of learners linked to exam leak delayed as investigations continue─── ZENANDE MPAME 12:32 Mon, 12 Jan 2026
Learners implicated in the exam paper leaks will have to wait longer for their results to allow investigations to conclude.
The leak was announced in December after markers notified the Gauteng education department of anomalies in exam scripts. The department stated while it previously believed there were 26 pupils implicated in the leak, the number has now increased to 40.
In response to the findings, the department suspended two officials as part of its internal investigation. The department’s investigation team revealed that a departmental official, whose child was a National Senior Certificate (NSC) 2025 candidate, was allegedly involved in the breach, and the learner allegedly sold the papers to his classmates.
The exam papers included English home language papers 1, 2, and 3, physical science papers 1 and 2, and mathematics papers 1 and 2. The minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, will announce the outcome of the 2025 NSC examinations on Monday (12/1).
“The department has already taken steps to address the alleged internal involvement of its own officials, including the precautionary suspension of suspected officials earlier in this process,” said Gwarube. “To those who compromise the NSC, they not only break rules, but they also attempt to steal opportunities from honest learners.”
The department said it will implement the national investigation task team’s recommendations to institute investigations and disciplinary proceedings against implicated officials.
Umalusi Briefing | Regarding the breach in connection with the NSC Maths Papers 1 and 2, Physical Sciences Papers 1 and 2 and English Home Language Papers 1 to 3 exams, Umalusi has the pleasure to inform the public that the National Investigation Task Team (NITT) presented the… pic.twitter.com/IlUype2xtm
— Umalusi (@UmalusiSA) January 9, 2026
Umalusi reassured the country that the integrity of the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations remained intact, despite a confirmed question paper leak and reports of serious criminal incidents affecting a small number of candidates during the exam period.
This was revealed during the official pronouncement on the matric results for public and private schools on Friday. Investigations had shown that the examination leak was limited in scope, affecting approximately 40 candidates from seven schools in Pretoria.
The department of education confirmed on Wednesday that the publication of results will continue despite a case by the Information Regulator, which argued the traditional practice may violate the Popi Act. The results will be published on Tuesday, using examination numbers only, without names, surnames, or ID numbers.
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