The matric exam leak scandal grips South Africa after probes confirmed pupils at seven Pretoria schools grabbed seven National Senior Certificate papers before exams kicked off in November. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed 26 candidates snagged early looks at English Home Language papers, Mathematics papers, plus Physical Sciences papers 1 and 2.
Teams spotted the issue fast during marking. Scripts from hit schools flashed identical answers that mirrored official guidelines.
Gwarube praised the system: “The breach did not come through rumours. It was detected because markers are equipped to know the difference between an authentic learner’s response and content that should only be accessible to markers.”
This nailed down who gained from the matric exam leak scandal.
How the Leak Unfolded
Two Department of Basic Education staff drive this mess. One pulled the papers from headquarters; the other spread them via USB to a small circle. Both now sit suspended.
Gwarube slammed their moves: “You cannot cheat the NSC and get away with it. We will detect it. We will investigate it and there will be consequences.”
Their breach shattered exam trust and dodged tight safeguards.
Probes traced the USB sharing to tight pupil groups in one Pretoria zone. That sparked school audits and script checks. Details from interviews confirm the matric exam leak scandal stayed local with no wider spread.
Seven Schools Under Scrutiny
This hit seven schools in a Pretoria pocket. Gwarube holds off on names until probes wrap. Flagged pupils head to hearings soon. Guilty ones risk barred exams for three years.
Criminal Charges and Next Steps
Cops now chase criminal leads after the department filed reports. Gwarube eyes full fallout for all players from staff to scholars.
Despite the hit Umalusi nods at DBE steps: “Umalusi is satisfied with the steps taken by the DBE thus far including reporting the case to the SAPS.”
