A pupil preparing for the exams. GettyImages/epicurean
JOHANNESBURG - The Department of Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced that pupils implicated in the exam paper leaks will have to wait longer for their results.
This gives time for investigations to proceed.
The department announced that while previously thought to be 26 pupils implicated in the leak, the number has jumped to 40.
Standard sanctions for the pupils involved, including barring them from writing up for up to three exam periods, will be imposed.
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An HR official at the department is said to have given the papers to her son, who subsequently sold the exam paper to others.
Minister Siviwe Gwarube says that because exam papers are stored in a secure location, it is suspected that the official received the papers from someone else. Two DBE officials have since been suspended.
Gwarube insists that the leak is contained in Tshwane and has since been reported to the police.
The leak was initially announced in December after markers notified the Gauteng Education Department of anomalies in exam scripts. The provincial department notified the national department, where investigations began.
It was initially believed that the English Home Language paper was the only paper to be leaked. After several pupils were interviewed, it was discovered that the Maths and Physics papers were also leaked.
Investigations are still ongoing; hence, results for some learners implicated in the leak will be delayed.
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Umalusi CEO Mafu Rakometsi said, despite the leak, the 2025 matric results have not been compromised. He added that they are empowered to cancel certificates already issued if further irregularities are found.
Gwarube is set to announce the overall matric results on Monday.