By Charmaine Ndlela
Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has dismissed claims that the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) English Home Language Paper 3 exam was leaked, saying that AI-generated “fake news” threatens to disrupt exams for more than 964,000 matric candidates.
Gwarube said the claim, made on a widely circulated poster, was “baseless” and “irresponsible”.
She confirmed that examination security systems were operating smoothly, with no leaks or other irregularities reported across the provinces.
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“These baseless claims seek to disrupt the NSC exams and to prejudice over 960 000 candidates currently writing their exams,” she said on X.
“We urge you to not circulate fake news as [it is] intended to disrupt our learners.”
The department said it would report the poster to police for investigation and possible prosecution.
As the examinations entered their fourth day on Friday, candidates were scheduled to write Economics Paper 1 and Mechanical Technology: Design Paper 1, among others.
The department reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the integrity and credibility of the 2026 exams.
