"We hereby approve the release of the results of the national senior certificate examinations administered by the department of Basic Education," said Umalusi CEO Dr Mafu Rakometsi.

He said the same approval was issued for the exams administered by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB).

"We are satisfied that the examinations were fair, valid and credible."

Umalusi -- the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training -- approved the exams after various quality control measures, including moderating and approving question papers, verifying internal assessments, monitoring the conduct during exams, and monitoring and verifying the marking and final results.

Rakometsi said exams conducted for qualifications available through Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and Adult Basic Education and Training (Abet) were also approved -- with the exception of N3 Electronics.

"These results are being withheld pending an investigation. We suspect some irregularities," said Rakometsi.