NSC exam leak limited to 40 learners in Pretoria, says Umalusi
Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi says the 2025 exam breach was limited to 40 learners at seven schools
Image: Oupa Mokoena/ Independent Newspapers
The 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam leak was confined to around 40 candidates across seven schools in Pretoria, Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi said on Friday.
Addressing a media briefing, Rakometsi stressed that the breach was “localised” and does not compromise the overall credibility of the NSC results.
“While the number of implicated learners currently stands at around 40, there will be consequences for anyone not included in this number should they be discovered later,” he said.
The National Investigative Task Team (NITT), appointed by the Department of Basic Education to investigate the source and scope of the leak, presented its findings to Umalusi on January 6.
“The leak was limited to three subjects across seven papers,” Rakometsi said.
“Considering that the report singles out about 40 candidates out of a total population of 600,000 who wrote the examinations in these subjects – 204,957 in Physical Sciences, 254,413 in Mathematics, and 135,090 in English Home Language – the breach is extremely limited.”
The incident came to light on December 11, 2025, when Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed that 26 pupils at seven Pretoria schools had accessed NSC question papers in English Home Language, Mathematics, and Physical Science.
Learners whose certificates are cancelled must return them within three weeks, failing which they could face fines or imprisonment of up to six months, he said.
“That is the message,” Rakometsi added.
Gwarube is expected to hold a media briefing at 1pm on Friday to formally release the Interim Report of the NITT.
She will outline the investigation’s findings, key recommendations, and the department’s measures to strengthen exam security and maintain public confidence in the NSC system.
IOL News