Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to reveal details relating to how matric papers were leaked this week, following a breakthrough in the case.
This was announced by department of basic education spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga earlier on Tuesday.
Mhlanga’s announcement follows hot on the heels of a statement released by the Hawks last Friday that Themba Daniel Shikwambana (31) was arrested last week Wednesday for the alleged theft of matric maths exam paper 2.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Shikwambana worked for a Johannesburg-based company that was contracted by the department to print the current year’s matric exam papers.
Mogale said Shikwambana appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday last week.
“The court has remanded Shikwambana in custody pending his bail application scheduled for Monday November 30 2020. An investigation into the leakage of other papers is still continuing,” Mogale said.
But on Tuesday Mhlanga said Shikwambana had been granted bail and the matter had been remanded to January 27 2021.
He said investigations are ongoing.
Preliminary report
Mhlanga said the council of education ministers (CEM) held a special meeting on Tuesday morning to receive the preliminary report into the leaked matric exam question papers.
In the last meeting of council, Mhlanga said Motshekga indicated that the preliminary report would be received on Monday.
Read: Covid-19 disruptions laid bare the troubles in SA’s school system – Professor Ruaan Maarman
Mhlanga said the council deliberated on the report and noted that the investigation had not yet been completed and that more work still needed to be done.
“The council agreed that the credibility, integrity and fairness of the examination cannot be compromised. CEM acknowledged the complex nature of the investigation. It also appreciated the work being done by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation to assist the department in the investigation,” Mhlanga said.
He said the report would be processed internally and Motshekga would host a media briefing later this week to make an announcement.
Three papers have been leaked this year – maths paper 2, physical science paper 2 and life sciences.
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