High court orders release of withheld matric results after exam leak

Seven pupils, all part of those in the Vhembe district in Limpopo who were ordered to re-write the Life Science papers, approached the Thohoyandou High Court to seek an order for the release of their matric results.

Their results were withheld because the department said it was still conducting investigations into the Life Science Paper I and II leak scandal.

Pupils at the school were suspected of having had access to a leaked Life Science Paper II, which they allegedly "shared" before the exam.

The exam was not stopped, but the department later ordered the re-write of the exam papers and also indicated that it intended laying criminal charges, although no one has been arrested yet.

On Friday, lawyers for the affected pupils argued that the department's move to withhold the results was prejudicing them.

The seven, who cannot be named, successful won the bid when the court ruled in their favour late on Saturday.

In his order, Judge Khami Makhafola ruled that Basic Education minister Angie Motshekga and Limpopo Education MEC Ishmael Kgetjepe should release the results within two days.

"Respondent are directed to release the said results within 48 hours counting from the 16 January at 19H45 of the court order herein," reads part of court order.

Lawyer Wisani Baloyi told African News Agency on Monday: "We approached the court because the department is unfairly withholding the results. These pupils were implicated in the paper leak, and re-wrote two papers, so we were demanding the release of results because the re-writing was not leaked".

Pupils in Vhembe district were ordered to re-write Life Science Paper I and Paper II on December 4 and 8 respectively as the education department sought to restore the integrity of the examination process.

"It's unfair that they should withhold non-leaked results," said Baloyi.

The lawyer said they wanted the department to release the pupils' results in order to allow them to go and register at tertiary institutions.

"If the department does not act fast, these children will miss the chance to enter university."

The education authority believes that some of its officials may be behind the leak and have vowed to take action.

When the matric paper leak scandal broke, Motshekga blamed poor security in the handling of matric examination papers.

She said the papers were sent to the local circuit days before exam as the provincial department did not have sufficient storage capacity.

"The storage and packing area at their new premises were not secure and did meet the minimum norms and standards for security required for printing, packing and distribution sites."

ANA

File photo: Gallo Images