DBE official implicated in matric exam leak, NITT interim report finds

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has revealed that an interim report by the National Investigative Task Team (NITT) into the recent matric examination leak has identified a departmental employee as the source of the breach.

The task team was established after 40 matric pupils from eight schools in Tshwane were found to have gained access to examination papers for English, Mathematics and Physical Science ahead of the exams.

Two department officials have since been placed on suspension, although the role of the second official remains under investigation.

According to Gwarube, preliminary findings indicate that one of the officials leaked the examination papers to her son, who then shared them with other learners.

“The evidence available at this stage shows that the breach originated within the Department of Basic Education’s secure national examinations environment, where NSC question papers are set, processed and managed,” Gwarube said.

She added that the NITT had established that a DBE official, whose child was a 2025 National Senior Certificate candidate, is alleged to have been involved in the leak, with the learner becoming part of the distribution network. The task team is continuing to verify whether a second official played a role in the incident.