11 December 2025
The African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Basic Education has noted with deep concern the report submitted by the Minister of Basic Education regarding a confirmed breach of several question papers for the 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
The Study Group wishes to state unequivocally that the Minister and senior officials in the Department of Basic Education (DBE) were previously cautioned about potential vulnerabilities and the increased risk of examination irregularities during this examination cycle. Our earlier engagements, both in committee meetings and through formal correspondence, highlighted weaknesses in internal security controls, the handling of sensitive examination materials, and insufficient monitoring of high-risk units within the DBE.
The present breach confirms that these warnings were not adequately acted upon.
Concerns About the Nature and Origin of the Breach
The Study Group is alarmed that seven NSC papers, including English Home Language, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences, were unlawfully accessed and distributed from within the DBE’s examination-setting unit. This represents a serious internal failure in one of the most secure areas of the examination system.
The involvement of departmental officials, one of whom is alleged to have had a direct personal interest through a Grade 12 learner, is an indictment of internal controls and managerial oversight within the Department.
Accountability Must Be Prioritized
The ANC Parliamentary Study Group calls for:
• Decisive and immediate accountability for any officials found to have participated in or enabled the breach.
• A full internal audit of examination security protocols, particularly digital safeguards, access controls, and the management of removable storage devices.
• Urgent action by the Minister to address long-standing vulnerabilities previously raised by the Study Group and the Portfolio Committee.
The Study Group further expects the Minister to account to Parliament on why earlier warnings were not adequately acted upon and what corrective steps will be implemented without delay.
Support for an Independent, Transparent Investigation
The establishment of the National Investigative Task Team (NITT) is a necessary step, but it must be accompanied by firm political will and internal discipline. The investigation must be transparent, fully independent, and uncompromising in uncovering the extent of the breach and any associated misconduct. The ANC Study Group will monitor the investigation closely and demand that all findings be made public.
Protection of Learners and Preservation of Exam Credibility
While the Study Group condemns any form of cheating or irregularity, we emphasize that learners must be treated fairly, and any punitive action must be based on evidence, not suspicion. The DBE must ensure that:
• No learner is unfairly disadvantaged.
• Investigations are handled with due sensitivity.
• The final NSC results remain credible and trustworthy.
The Study Group is expressly concerned that the breach, if not addressed decisively, could undermine confidence in the NSC at a time when young people already face significant socioeconomic pressures.
Strengthening Oversight and Ensuring Reform
The ANC Parliamentary Study Group reaffirms its commitment to strengthening oversight over the Department of Basic Education. We will continue to push for long-overdue reforms in examination security, ICT systems, personnel vetting, and ethical governance within the Department.
The Study Group declares that irregularities of this nature must never recur, and the DBE must implement structural improvements to safeguard the future of the country’s learners.
Issued by: African National Congress Parliamentary Study Group on Basic Education
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