Two people who leaked a 2020 matric mathematics exam paper have been ordered to pay a fine of R50,000 each and three years imprisonment, suspended for five years.
At the time of the leak, one of them Themba Daniel Shikwambana, 36 worked at a company in Braamfontein that printed matric exam papers.
On Wednesday, Shikwambana and Thobile Sweetbetter Duze, 48, appeared at the Johannesburg magistrates court where they pleaded guilty to theft and were sentenced.
Basic education department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said: We would have preferred a harsher penalty owing to the sensitive nature of the examinations. However, we appreciate the work done by the Hawks and hope this matter will serve as an example that we take the security of examination question papers seriously.
Mhlanga said security measures to ensure exam papers are not leaked had been tightened across the system, but would not disclose details.