The Mpumalanga Department of Education on Monday said it views the allegations of cheating reported at some centres within Manyeleti Circuit of Bohlabela District “very seriously”.
In a communique, the department said it was “disturbed that there are people and forces who are hell-bent to do anything and everything to bypass systems put in place to uphold the credibility and integrity of the public examinations”.
The “good thing” the department said, was that it has “advanced and sophisticated processes in place to identify such people or forces and to expose them for who and what they are”.
To this end, the department said it “welcomes the probe” that will be undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE).
The DBE said time must be given for the investigation to take place and requests that all those who have information about “this cheating and misconduct” need to cooperate accordingly.
Meanwhile, the DBE said it has noted with “disappointment” a news article that claimed it was probing an exam cheating scandal involving 1 000 learners across six provinces.
The DBE added: “There is no truth to comments attributed to the department regarding an investigation allegedly involving six provinces.
“It is unfortunate that misleading information is deliberately published to create uncertainty and anxiety regarding the 2022 National Senior Certificate exams.
“The department can confirm that there is an investigation in one circuit in Mpumalanga, anything else is pure lies, if not, fake news designed to tarnish the examinations.”
At least one teacher has been suspended over the allegations of exam cheating in Mpumalanga.
