Thembisa:Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has strongly condemned a fake news article generated using artificial intelligence, which falsely claims a leak of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) English Paper 3 Examination.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister stated that the baseless claims aim to disrupt the examination process and prejudice over 964,000 candidates currently sitting for their matric exams. She described the spread of such disinformation during this critical period as irresponsible, as it undermines the preparation and aspirations of learners across the country.
The Minister visited Thembisa West Secondary School on Thursday to monitor the writing of the English Paper 3, confirming that examination security systems were operating smoothly with no leaks or irregularities reported in any province. The Department of Basic Education has reassured learners, parents, and the public that the integrity of the 2026 NSC examination remains intact.
The department plans to report the fake news incident to law enforcement for investigation and prosecution, viewing it as an attempt to undermine the national social contract regarding the NSC Examinations. The public has been urged not to engage with or spread unverified information that could create panic and disrupt the examination process.
The NSC examinations commenced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
