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FILE | Mathematics exam paper
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the results of the 40 matric learners who were caught cheating during their final examinations last year, will be withheld pending the outcome of an independent hearing.
Earlier, the Minister announced that the Interim Report by the National Investigative Task Team (NITT) into the recent matric exam breach found that the leak was in fact a department employee.
The Task team was setup after 40 matric candidates from eight schools in Tshwane were found to have accessed matric exam papers for English, Mathematics and Physical Science.
Gwarube says candidates who are found guilty could have their results in the relevant subjects nullified.
“Results for the 40 candidates will be subjected to an independent hearing. Where a candidate is found guilty by the independent presiding officer, this finding, together with recommendations, will go to the Provincial Examination Irregularity Committee and thereafter the National Examination Irregularity Committee. Umalusi will be the final arbiter. Candidates found guilty may have their results in the relevant subjects nullified and may be further sanctioned. Sanctions include barring from writing the NSC examinations for up to three examination sessions.”
#DBENews |The NITT’s investigation confirms that the leak involved seven question papers:
• English Home Language (Papers 1–3)
• Mathematics (Papers 1–2)
• Physical Sciences (Papers 1–2)The results of the 40 learners linked to the breach will be temporarily withheld pending… pic.twitter.com/FF1BqlBwdh
— Dep. Basic Education (@DBE_SA) January 9, 2026
