As the class of 2024 anxiously awaits the official release of matric results on Tuesday, allegations of results being leaked ahead of time for cash on a website have emerged.
Edumarks claims to be the only distributor of legitimate NSC results for R99.90 including subjects and percentages. Results are delivered via e-mail with a 100% money-back guarantee if they cannot be retrieved.
According to the website, the Johannesburg-based company has been in operation since 2022. It claims to have a 99% accuracy in 2023 and 97% in 2024.
Their website says: “Nobody likes waiting, especially for matric results. At Edumarks we make it easier to check your full matric results online. We understand the stress of waiting, which is why we help you retrieve your NSC results before they’re officially released. For a small one-time fee, you can quickly access your results online with Edumarks, saving you from the anxiety of waiting.”
The cell number listed on their home page went unanswered and an automated response was received to queries about the legitimacy and authenticity of the service sent via a WhatsApp number linked to the company.
No response as yet from @Siviwe_G and @DBE_SA about this! https://t.co/nXND5ZYoL0
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) January 12, 2025
Social activist Yusuf Abramjee on Sunday posted the claim on X, demanding answers from the education authorities. He questioned how the leak could have happened and the integrity of the exam process.
Abramjee commented that the alleged leaks raised serious concerns about the integrity of the NSC exams.
“NSC matric results are being sold on a website for R100. Students are able to get the full results with percentages. How is this possible? Who is making money? How did the results leak days before the official release?” Abramjee wrote on X.
In a second post, he included a photograph of the result certificate accessed by a matric pupil.
“Here is one of many students who were able to get their results today via e-mail — days before the official release,” he said, adding that the website and student’s details had been concealed in the image.
He called on the education department to account for the alleged leak.
The Foundation for Education and Social Justice’s Hendrick Makaneta said they are “deeply troubled” the company is allegedly selling matric results before the DBE officially releases them.
“This raises serious questions about how Edumarks gained access to such sensitive information, whether the results being sold are authentic, and whether the DBE’s systems have been compromised.
He said this suggested a potential breach of data security and a violation of learners' right to privacy.
“Learners and their families deserve to trust that their personal information is handled with the utmost confidentiality. The sale of results, whether legitimate or not, undermines public confidence in the education system and casts doubt on the DBE’s ability to secure its systems. In light of these developments, we urge the DBE to conduct an internal investigation and call on the Special Investigating Unit to intervene to ensure transparency and accountability.”
One parent, who asked not to be named, said the name of the website was posted on a matric chat group.
“One person said they signed up for their results and received them and it seemed legit. They didn’t share what the results were. Many of us expressed anger and frustration about how this company seems to have got the results. It just makes our children more anxious,” the mother said.
Another parent told TimesLIVE Premium a friend paid the R100 for her son’s results.
“Well, as per the site, it gave his statement of results. He did very well — a bachelor pass. We will wait to see the official tomorrow [Monday],” the parent said. The parent said this was in line with her child’s expectation for results based on his performance.
According to the company’s social media comments, some users complained they had paid for the service but didn’t receive their results, while three others said they were happy and had been sent the results.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group, which has been actively supporting matrics through the exam process, called for calm ahead of the release of results. It has been receiving an average of 2,000 calls a day from troubled teens seeking help for their worries and anxiety.
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube and her deputy Dr Reginah Mhaule will announce the results of the 2024 matric exams on Monday at 6pm
Sadag operations director Cassey Chambers told TimesLIVE Premium that they could not comment on the alleged leak and the possibility that matriculants were buying access to their results ahead of time.
“I suppose (it could happen because) there are so many matrics who are desperate to get results. I’m sure it has felt like they have waited for so long for these results and for many, there is a lot on the line. But we haven’t heard anything about learners buying results,” Chambers said.
More than 90,000 candidates sat for the 2024 National Senior Certificate.
Last year 715,719 full-time candidates enrolled for the final exams and 572,983 passed. 182,056 candidates enrolled part-time and a total of 897,775 candidates wrote the exams.
Free State was the top-performing province, achieving a pass rate of 89.3% — up from 88.5% in 2022. KwaZulu-Natal overtook Gauteng to clinch second spot, getting 86.36% from 83.0% in 2022. Gauteng placed third, with 85.38%, up from 84.4% in 2022.
The number of bachelor passes increased, to 40.9% in 2023 from 38.4% in 2022.
Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube and her deputy Dr Reginah Mhaule will announce the results of the 2024 matric exams on Monday at 6pm.
After this, individual results will be released to candidates on Tuesday on various platforms including newspapers, after the department won a court case allowing them to publish the information.
Sadag is urging parents to support their children despite the outcome. Matriculants can also reach out to the organisation on 0800 567 567.
The education department did not respond to questions and a request for comment on the alleged leak. Education spokespersons from provinces contacted by TimesLIVE Premium referred the matter to the national body.
Abramjee's repeated public demands for Gwarube and the DBE to respond to his claims have also gone unanswered.
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