Shock in Pretoria: Six Matric Exam Scripts Breached in Gauteng

Markers spot unusual similarities

The 2025 National Senior Certificate exams in Gauteng have been rocked by a breach affecting six matric scripts across seven schools in Pretoria. Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed the irregularities during an urgent media briefing on Thursday, highlighting that the vigilance of the exam markers brought the issue to light.

“It was the markers’ diligence that led to the detection of the breach,” Gwarube said, adding that English Home Language Paper 2 was the first to raise suspicions.

Markers noticed an unusual similarity between a candidate’s answers and the official marking guidea red flag that prompted further investigation.

[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

How the leak unfolded

Investigators interviewed 26 learners involved in the Pretoria area, many of whom admitted to accessing the exam papers before writing. According to Gwarube, the breach appeared to originate from within the national Department of Basic Education’s offices.

“The learners admitted having prior access to both the English Home Language Paper 2 question paper and the marking guideline,” she said.

Further investigation revealed the leak wasn’t limited to a single paper. The compromised subjects include:

• English Home Language Papers 1, 2, 3

• Mathematics Papers 1, 2

• Physical Sciences Papers 1, 2

The papers were reportedly shared via a USB storage device, and while the breach appears confined to a specific Pretoria area, the department continues its meticulous investigation.

Suspensions and criminal charges

Two Gauteng education department employees have been suspended in connection with the leak. Notably, one of the employees is the parent of a matric pupil under investigation.

“A criminal case has been lodged with the South African Police Service for theft of state property,” Gwarube said.

The case underscores the high stakes involved in matric examinations in South Africa, where results can determine access to tertiary education and scholarships.

National task team to investigate

A national investigative task team is set to begin work on 12 December 2025, aiming to complete its inquiry before the final results are announced on 12 January 2025.

Gwarube confirmed that Umalusi, the quality assurance council, has been formally briefed on the breach, ensuring oversight during the ongoing investigation.

“We are committed to ensuring that all learners and schools affected are treated fairly, and that the integrity of the matric exam process is upheld,” Gwarube said.

Public reaction and context

The Pretoria community has been left reeling after news of the breach spread, with social media users expressing outrage:

“We trust the system to be fair. If the papers are leaking, who is really being assessed?” one Twitter user wrote.
Another posted: “It’s heartbreaking that learners’ futures could be affected by adults abusing their positions.”

South Africans are all too familiar with matric exam controversies, making this latest revelation a blow to confidence in the system. Yet Gwarube’s swift action, combined with the markers’ diligence, demonstrates a renewed effort to safeguard the integrity of the exams.

While the breach is localized, its implications are national. Authorities now face the delicate task of balancing accountability with fairness for learners who were not involved. As the investigation continues, all eyes will be on Gauteng and the Department of Basic Education to ensure justice and transparency before the matric results are published.

{Source: The Citizen}

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