Pretoria – Umalusi has confirmed that approximately 40 learners in the Pretoria area were involved in a breach of the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams, affecting Maths, Physical Sciences, and English Home Language papers.
The authority said the National Investigation Task Team (NITT) presented its findings to Umalusi’s Executive Committee on 6 January.
“The overall conclusion of the investigation is that the leak was limited to the three subjects or seven papers mentioned already,” Umalusi said.
The breach was confined to seven examination centres and roughly 40 candidates, out of more than 600 000 learners who sat the exams nationwide.
Umalusi Briefing | Regarding the breach in connection with the NSC Maths Papers 1 and 2, Physical Sciences Papers 1 and 2 and English Home Language Papers 1 to 3 exams, Umalusi has the pleasure to inform the public that the National Investigation Task Team (NITT) presented the… pic.twitter.com/IlUype2xtm
— Umalusi (@UmalusiSA) January 9, 2026
“Considering that the report singles out about 40 candidates out of a total population of approximately 600 000, Umalusi wants to assure the public that the breach was localised and therefore cannot dent the overall credibility of the 2025 NSC results,” the council said.
Umalusi warned that the number of implicated learners could increase as the investigation continues. “While the number of implicated learners currently stands at around 40, there will be consequences for anyone who is not included in the number now should they be discovered later on,” the statement added.
The council also highlighted its legal authority to cancel certificates under section 21, sub-sections 2, 3, and 4 of the amended GENFETQA Act if irregularities are uncovered after results have been issued.
The Minister of Basic Education is expected to release the full NITT report later today.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@UmalusiSA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
