The Department of Basic Education has confirmed a major security breach involving seven National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination papers.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed that the leak, traced to Gauteng, was first detected by markers who noticed irregularities. The provincial education department was alerted and subsequently escalated the matter to national authorities, prompting an immediate investigation.
The English Home Language paper was the first to raise suspicion after several matric pupils in Tshwane were interviewed. Investigations later confirmed that 26 candidates had been compromised. Further probing revealed that Maths and Physical Sciences papers had also been leaked, affecting learners across seven schools in Tshwane.
According to Gwarube, the leak originated from within the department, with one of the implicated pupils’ parents identified as a DBE employee.
A task team comprising Umalusi, Universities South Africa, SAQA and an independent forensic investigator has been established to lead the probe. The incident has also been reported to police.
Marking for the 2025 NSC examinations is expected to conclude on Saturday, 13 December.