Umalusi has confirmed the results of pupils implicated in the 2025 examination paper breach will be withheld as it approved the release of matric results across all assessment bodies. The decision was announced during a media briefing on approval of the 2025 examination results after an investigation into a leak involving mathematics, physical sciences and English home language exam papers. According to Umalusi council chairperson, Prof Yunus Ballim, the executive committee endorsed the decision to block the affected results.
“The executive committee of council endorses the recommendation to withhold the results of candidates who are implicated in the alleged irregularities, including acts of dishonesty,” said Ballim. The initial number of candidates found in the exam breach has increased to 40 from 26. Ballim said “the increase stemmed from continuous investigation by the investigation task team.” He said the national investigation task team found “the leaks were limited to the three subjects or seven papers mentioned.” Ballim said the incident last occurred in 2021.
He said since then the national senior certificate examination (NSC) process has not had an issue. “This goes to show the level of improvement in security and the examination system. “Umalusi wants to assure the public the breach was localised and therefore cannot dent the overall credibility of the 2025 NSC results,” said Ballim.
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He warned further action could be taken if more cases are uncovered. “While the number of implicated pupils stands at about 40, there will be consequences for anyone who is not included in the number should they be discovered later,” Ballim said, adding Umalusi has the power “to cancel a certificate after it has been issued on discovery of irregularities”.
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