The Department of Basic Education (DBE) initially blocked the release of the 2026 matric results due to a directive from South Africa’s Information Regulator, which cited violations of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
READ: Will This Year’s Matric Be Released in Newspapers?
The regulator ordered the DBE not to publish the results in newspapers without obtaining proper consent from learners, arguing that even publishing exam numbers could infringe on privacy rights.
Despite this, the DBE proceeded with plans to release the results publicly, leading to legal action.
In January 2026, the North Gauteng High Court dismissed the Information Regulator’s urgent application to block the publication, stating that the urgency was self-created and that no evidence of harm to learners was presented.
Consequently, the DBE was permitted to publish the results using exam numbers instead of names, a practice in place since 2014.
While the immediate issue was resolved, the broader legal debate over privacy and consent in publishing matric results remains ongoing.
The Information Regulator intends to pursue the matter further to establish clearer guidelines for future releases.
READ: How to Study Smart for Matric Exams: A Guide for Grade 12s.
