Overview
- An interim report by the National Investigation Task Team confirms seven leaked papers: English Home Language Papers 1–3, Mathematics Papers 1–2, and Physical Sciences Papers 1–2.
- Results for about 40 implicated candidates are being withheld pending independent hearings, with potential nullification of subject results and bans of up to three exam sessions.
- Investigators allege an Education Department human resources official was involved and that the official’s child, a 2025 candidate, participated in distributing the materials.
- The leak spread via USB transfers, printed copies, WhatsApp and screenshots, and some candidates used AI tools such as ChatGPT and Meta AI to structure responses.
- A criminal case has been reported to SAPS and forensic work is ongoing to pinpoint the extraction source and timeline, while the DBE begins implementing tighter end-to-end exam security measures.