The Department of Basic Education has launched a criminal investigation into Edumarks, a company illegally selling South African matric results to students for R100 up to seven days before official release. The Hawks are now investigating the unauthorized access to confidential student data.

The breach came to light when Edumarks sent verified 2024 National Senior Certificate results to a buyer on January 11, 2025, three days before the scheduled national release date.

Only Universities South Africa (USAf) had access to the final results data at that time, suggesting the leak originated from within USAf or connected higher education institutions.

“This represents a serious breach of trust within our education system,” said a Department spokesperson. “We are working with law enforcement to identify the source of the leak.”

Edumarks, operating since 2021, claims 97% accuracy in their advance results service for the class of 2023. The company bases its information on preliminary data from January 2024, before final updates from exam paper reviews.

The company defends its actions by arguing matric results should be free and claiming their service addresses gaps in government systems. However, the Department maintains the operation is illegal.

“The unauthorized sale of confidential student information violates multiple regulations,” said a senior education official. “We are strengthening our data security protocols to prevent future breaches.”

The Department has opened a criminal case, with the Hawks leading the investigation into both Edumarks and potential sources of the data leak within educational institutions.

The incident has sparked calls for enhanced data protection measures across South Africa’s education sector, particularly regarding sensitive student information.