South Africa: Gauteng Brings in Scanners to Catch Matric Exam Cheats

What the report says

Gauteng has introduced security scanners at matric exam centres to help detect hidden electronic devices as the province prepares for its 2026 final examinations, according to Scrolla in a report distributed by AllAfrica. The measures come as Gauteng registers 203,794 candidates across 1,065 examination centres, a record number for the province. The exams began on Tuesday, 13 October, and run as part of the national matric schedule through 26 November 2026.

The scanners are intended to identify items such as smart glasses, spy pens and small earpieces that could be used to cheat. Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile said the checks are meant to protect exam integrity rather than intrude on learners’ privacy. The provincial education department also said modern gadgets have made cheating harder to spot through routine invigilation alone.

Officials said learners who are caught cheating with concealed devices could have their results cancelled or be barred from writing matric exams for up to three examination cycles. Gauteng’s exam leadership said additional controls are in place to ensure candidates receive the correct question papers at the right time. The province’s large candidate pool includes full-time learners, repeaters and part-time students, underscoring the pressure on schools and exam administration.

The report also noted that KwaZulu-Natal is handling a similarly large cohort and has trained thousands of invigilators, reflecting the wider national challenge of administering South Africa’s matric examinations at scale.