DBE official found to be behind 2025 matric exam papers leak

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has confirmed that a human resources official was found to be behind the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations leak.

The official is alleged to have handed over the papers to her son, who shared them with others, resulting in 40 complicit candidates.

In a media briefing on Friday, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube confirmed that seven papers were leaked, including English home language, Maths papers 1 and 2, as well as the Physical Sciences paper.

Gwarube said forensic investigations are still underway to determine which computer was taken from the centre where papers were drafted and kept.

"The National Investigation Task Team (NITT) looked at school patterns only to spot unusual results. If wrongdoing is confirmed, it will be linked to individuals and not blamed on whole schools unless there’s clear evidence of that."