PRETORIA - An HR official at the Department of Basic Education has been identified as the source of the 2025 Matric exam leak.
The official gave the papers to her son who sold it to other learners.
The Department stressed that the storage of the exam material was secure, therefore, they believe someone else must have accessed the papers on behalf of the official.
Two DBE officials have also been suspended.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the breach has now been contained to 40 pupils in Tshwane after seven papers were leaked. Up from the 26 that was previously reported.
The Department initially announced the leak in December after markers identified anomalies.
The Gauteng provincial department was notified, who subsequently notified the national department resulting in immediate investigations.
According to Gwarube the English Home Language was the initial paper to be discovered after several matriculants in Tshwane were initially interviewed. Later the Maths and Physics papers were also leaked.
READ: Breach discovered in 2025 matric final exams - Gwarube
The leak has also been reported to the police