US Edition2025 matric exam leak localised to 40 pupils, says Umalusi CEO
Umalusi confirmed the breach was limited to about 40 candidates in Pretoria, affecting three subjects and seven papers, with investigations and sanctions underway.
- On January 09, 2026, Umalusi said it will temporarily withhold results of 40 implicated candidates while formal irregularity processes proceed, confirming the breach was localised to seven Pretoria schools.
- Investigators traced the breach to the Department of Basic Education secure national examinations environment, where leaked materials spread via removable storage, messages, screenshots and printed copies, prompting the National Investigation Task Team probe.
- Using digital forensics and statistical analysis, the NITT deployed investigative marking and interviews, examining devices and cohorts including over 204 000 Physical Sciences candidates.
- Each implicated candidate will face an independent hearing, and sanctions include cancellation of certificates under the GENFETQA Act, section 21 subsections 2-4, with possible bans up to three NSC sessions, Umalusi said.
- Umalusi directed Department of Higher Education and Training to work closely with it and said due process preserved certification for 900,000 honest learners, reinforcing national credibility.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Umalusi and Minister Siviwe Gwarube greenlight NSC results amid Pretoria paper leak scandal
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube believes the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams remain credible despite a contained leak affecting 40 candidates. Umalusi has approved the results release but issued strict recommendations.
Results for 2025 matric exam CHEATS to be delayed
Some 40 National Senior Certificate (NSC) 2025 candidates, who were implicated in a breach of exam papers, will have to wait to hear their exam results as the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the National Investigative Task Team (NITT) investigating the breach continue their processes. This according to DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube, who briefed the media on Friday afternoon. For everyone else who didn’t cheat, the results of the 2025 Natio…
Umalusi to withhold results of 40 pupils linked to 2025 exam paper breach
The decision was announced during a media briefing on approval of the 2025 year-end examination results after an investigation into a leak involving mathematics, physical sciences and English home language exam papers.
NSC exam leak limited to 40, but more pupils may still be punished – Umalusi
Students who cheated during the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations but have not yet been identified among the 40 implicated candidates will still face consequences if they are later uncovered. This warning was delivered by Umalusi CEO, Dr Mafu Rakometsi, on Friday during his briefing on the report into irregularities detected at the Department of Basic Education (DBE) offices, following a national investigation into leaked exami…
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