Three people accused of stealing and selling a matric examination paper in Limpopo have been traced nearly 11 years after the alleged scheme.
Sowetan reported that the suspects, aged between 30 and 33, were served with court summonses after being tracked down in Tshilamba, Khubvi and Thohoyandou. Limpopo Hawks spokesperson Col Avele Fumba said the Musina-based Serious Corruption Investigation team had continued pursuing the case despite more than a decade passing.
Exam paper allegedly sold for R250
The case dates back to November 2015. According to Fumba, six pupils allegedly gained unlawful access to an examination paper before it was written.
The paper was allegedly shared among students and later sold to other learners for about R250 per copy, Sowetan reported. The Hawks then launched an investigation into the alleged exam scam and continued following leads in an effort to bring those implicated before court.
Three suspects face fraud charges
The investigation has now led to three suspects being located. According to Sowetan, they were served with J175 summonses in Tshilamba, Khubvi and Thohoyandou.
Limpopo Chronicle, which separately reported on the case, also confirmed that the three suspects face fraud charges. They are expected to appear in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on 5 October 2026.
Fumba said investigations into the remaining suspects are continuing. Neither of the reports reviewed identified the three accused by name or specified which matric examination paper was allegedly obtained and sold.
Hawks say time does not erase accountability
Limpopo Hawks provincial head Maj-Gen Gopz Govender welcomed the breakthrough and praised investigators for continuing to pursue the case despite the years that had passed.
“The passage of time does not erase accountability,” Govender said, according to Sowetan.
Govender said the case demonstrated the Hawks’ commitment to following evidence and ensuring allegations of fraud are properly investigated and placed before the courts.
The suspects are due to make their court appearance on 5 October, while the Hawks continue investigating other people allegedly linked to the 2015 incident.