The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has reserved its decision on whether it will hear an urgent application regarding the publication of the 2024 matric results. A ruling on the matter is expected.

The urgent application was brought by the Information Regulator (IR), seeking to prevent the Department of Basic Education (DBE) from publicly releasing matric results. The IR argues that such publication violates matriculants’ right to privacy.

The DBE and AfriForum opposed the application, asserting that releasing the results does not prejudice the public and that the urgency of the matter is self-made. Matric results are set to be announced by Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube on 13 January.

Background on the Debate

In 2022, AfriForum and other parties successfully challenged a similar attempt to block the publication of matric results. The court ruled then that releasing results with examination numbers instead of names adequately protects students’ privacy and serves the public interest.

AfriForum legal counsel Advocate Quintus Pelser SC highlighted that since 2022, matric results have been published without student names and without any public backlash.

However, the IR’s legal counsel, Advocate Kennedy Tsatsawane SC, argued that the matter became urgent after the DBE announced its intention to defy the IR’s enforcement notice against publication.

Current Proceedings

Judge Ronèl Tolmay questioned both the urgency of the application and the potential prejudice caused by publishing or withholding the results.

The court noted that the broader issue of whether matric results should be published will be addressed later this year. For now, the urgent application seeks to clarify whether the results may be released via newspapers and public platforms next week.

The DBE maintains that it is bound by the 2022 court order requiring the publication of results and thus cannot comply with the IR’s directive.

The court’s decision on urgency is eagerly awaited as it will determine whether the matter proceeds immediately.