Two Department of Basic Education officials have been suspended and face criminal charges following the discovery of a localised exam breach affecting 26 learners across seven Pretoria schools in the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations.
The Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, confirmed this in a media briefing held in parliment today, 11 December, she confirmed that this was picked up through the marking process.
“Our markers detected irregularities during the marking of English Paper 2, triggering an immediate investigation,” she explained.
She stated that the investigation shows the following:
- The breach originated inside the Department of Basic Education by two officials.
- 3 subjects were affected: English HL, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
- The leak was allegedly shared via USB and is contained to 7 schools in the Pretoria area.
- 26 learners have been identified and flagged.
In response, she said that the two DBE officials implicated have been immediately suspended and criminal charges laid with the SAPS.
She added that a National Investigative Task Team is now working to finalise the full report which will be handed over to her and Umalusi.
In response to the breaches, Umalusi issued a statement saying that Umalusi wishes to inform the public that it received a preliminary report on Wednesday, 10 December from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) on the issues reported by the Minister.
“Having studied the report, Umalusi is satisfied with the steps taken by the DBE thus far, including reporting the case to the SAPS. Similarly, Umalusi is pleased by the ongoing investigative work aimed at determining the magnitude of the irregularities. The DBE is expected to present its findings on the matter for the consideration of the Executive Committee of Umalusi Council during the approval of results meetings to be held on 6-8 January 2026,” the statement read.
“Umalusi would like to assure the Class of 2025, their families, institutions of higher learning and other stakeholders that the investigations will in no way delay the release of the results of the NSC learners who are not implicated in the reported irregularities,” the statement concluded.
