By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that the matric results will be published in newspapers next week, despite an ongoing legal challenge.
The Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, in December turned down an application by the Information Regulator (IR) for an order barring the publication of the results. Three judges ruled that the results may be published, but that this had to be done by only using the candidate’s exam number.
The IR, however, maintains that this will contravene the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). It noted an application for leave to appeal to the court, aiming to take the appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
The IR made it clear that the pending appeal suspends last month’s court order, which gave the greenlight to the publication.
In challenging the High Court’s decision on the matric results, the IR said in its notice for leave to appeal that issues such as the DBE’s defences based on section 11 of the POPIA must be clarified by the SCA.
But Basic education minister Siviwe Gwarube said Matric results will be made available to accredited newspapers for publication on 13 January 2026 in the same pseudonymised format used in recent years – namely, examination numbers and results only, with no names, surnames, or ID numbers.
“In line with our commitment to the rule of law, the Department of Basic Education is of the view that it is legally obliged to publish the results in this pseudonymised format, as the court order granted on 18 January 2022 expressly requires this approach,” Gwarube said on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
“We will continue to follow the established, court-endorsed practice of publishing the results without identifying learners in a manner that balances accessibility with protection of personal information,” the minister added.
Gwarube further confirmed that her department will oppose the application for leave to appeal by the Information Regulator.
Meanwhile the AfriForum, one of the respondents in the latest legal battle against the IR, earlier this week said it will seriously consider turning to court for an urgent order if the results were not to be published in newspapers.