Cape Town – The Department of Basic Education has uncovered irregularities in six matric exam scripts in Gauteng, confirming a breach during the marking of the 2025 National Senior Certificate exams.
Markers flagged unusually similar answers in an English Home Language Paper 2 script, which led to an investigation.
At least 26 learners from seven Pretoria schools later admitted to accessing leaked question papers and marking guides before the exams.
“The learners interviewed admitted having prior access to both the English Home Language Paper 2 question paper and the marking guideline,” Minister of Basic Education Department Siviwe Gwarube said on Thursday.
[WATCH] “The breach occurred at the Department of Basic Education’s offices where question papers are set.” Minister Siviwe Gwarube says the learners implicated in the exam breach in Gauteng admitted to have had prior access to exam question papers and the marking guidelines.… pic.twitter.com/pURRSpmTut
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 11, 2025
“Upon studying the question paper, our investigators concluded that it could only have originated from the National Department of Basic Education’s offices. Further investigation revealed that the breach extended beyond a single paper.”
The leaked subjects include English Home Language Papers 1–3, Mathematics Papers 1–2, and Physical Sciences Papers 1–2, which were reportedly shared via a USB device.
The department said the leak appears confined to the Pretoria area.
[BREAKING NEWS] Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube says several DBE officials have been suspended after three matric exam papers were leaked. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/QAGiQzSLpe
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 11, 2025
Two Gauteng education employees have been suspended, one of whom is a parent of a learner under investigation.
A criminal case has been opened for the theft of state property.
A national investigative task team will begin a full probe on 12 December 2025, with findings expected before the release of matric results on 12 January 2025.
Umalusi has been formally notified of the breach.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
