By Charmaine Ndlela
The Department of Basic Education has launched an investigation into a breach that gave about 26 pupils prior access to 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam papers.
DBE minister Siviwe Gwarube said on Thursday that the department’s security systems swiftly detected the breach.
According to Gwarube, learners who were interviewed admitted to having accessed the English Home Language Paper 2 question paper and its marking guideline before the exam.
Investigators concluded the documents could only have originated from the DBE’s national office, where exam papers are set.
“Our investigation shows that the breach occurred within the DBE offices. Of the 162 papers set for 2025, seven were accessed before the examination period,” Gwarube said at a media briefing.
The leaked papers include English Home Language Papers 1, 2 and 3; Mathematics Papers 1, 2 and 3; and Physical Sciences Papers 1 and 2. The papers were allegedly shared via a USB storage device.
Gwarube said that one DBE employee with a child in Grade 12 had been identified as a central suspect.
“Evidence suggests that she obtained the leaked papers from another employee working in the examinations unit.
“Our systems are robust. It is because of the multiple layers of protection that we were able to trace the breach and identify the suspects involved,” Gwarube said.
Both employees have been suspended. The department has also opened a criminal case with the South African Police Service.
“There are criminal elements here, being in possession of stolen state material is a crime, and we have taken the necessary steps,” she said.
The DBE’s preliminary findings showed that the breach affected 26 learners across seven schools in Pretoria.
“There is no evidence of a widespread or systemic leak. Our investigation shows this incident was isolated to a small number of learners in a specific geographical area,” Gwarube said.
She added that the department would engage directly with the affected schools.
To ensure independence and transparency, the DBE Director-General has established a National Investigative Task Team (NITT), said Gwarube.
The team includes an independent chairperson, Umalusi, Universities South Africa, SACE, teacher unions, DBE officials, and a private forensic investigator.
“The task team’s mandate is comprehensive. They will confirm the exact source of the breach, verify that the spread is contained, identify all learners who accessed the papers, and recommend steps to protect the credibility of the 2025 NSC,” Gwarube said.
Investigative tools such as forensic analysis, investigative marking, script verification, interviews, and statistical performance comparisons will be deployed.
Gwarube said the breach will not disrupt the release of the 2025 NSC results.
“No results have been finalised, no certification processes have begun, and we expect to receive a final report by 31 December. We remain on track to release the results on 12 January 2026,” she confirmed.
“You cannot cheat the NSC and get away with it. We will detect it, we will investigate it, and there will be consequences,” Gwarube said.
She also praised the integrity of the vast majority of students who wrote the exams.
“We cannot allow the actions of a few to taint the nearly 900,000 learners who put their heart and soul into preparing for their exams. This investigation is being conducted to protect the value of the NSC certificate and the achievements of honest learners,” she said.
“Your matric certificate is a symbol of your effort, your resilience, and your integrity. When you cheat, you undermine your own future. You never cheat to succeed.”
She said marking is scheduled to conclude on Saturday 13 December.
Umalusi said it had received the preliminary report from the department, and was “satisfied with the steps taken by the DBE thus far, including reporting the case to the SAPS”.
“Similarly, Umalusi is pleased by the ongoing investigative work aimed at determining the magnitude of the irregularities. The DBE is expected to present its findings on the matter for the consideration of the Executive Committee of Umalusi Council during the approval of results meetings to be held on 6-8 January 2026.”
INSIDE EDUCATION
