R5m fine in matric row

PUBLICATION: INFORMATION REGULATOR ISSUES ENFORCEMENT NOTICE

- Marizka Coetzer

There are split views on whether the Department of Basic Education (DBE) should publish the 2024 matric results when they are released in two weeks.

Amid a legal battle, the department has been fined R5 million for its intention to publish the results. Last month, the Information Regulator (IR) issued an enforcement notice aimed at preventing the publication of the results in local newspapers, raising concerns about breaching the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia).

The matter will be heard on 7 January, just days before the results' release on 14 January.

Yesterday, DBE spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube had had engagements with the chair of the IR to find a resolution to the matter that does not include adversarial court proceedings.

He said the department was confident that the engagements would produce a workable compromise.