‘Why should this year be treated differently’ – Court nixes bid to block publishing of matric results

Matric

Johannesburg – The North Gauteng High Court has dismissed the Information Regulator’s (IR) urgent application to block the publication of the 2024 matric results in the media, citing a lack of urgency.

The IR had sought to prevent the publication of National Senior Certificate (NSC) exam results in newspapers, arguing the release would violate students’ privacy under the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia).

But the Department of Basic Education (DBE) opposed the move.

The regulator took legal action against the DBE, accusing the department of disregarding an enforcement notice issued in November last year.

Judge Ronèl Tolmay ruled that the urgency of the application was self-created and noted no evidence of harm or complaints from learners.

“ The present matter of publication has been followed for at least three consecutive years, why should this year be treated differently? I therefore conclude that the matter is not urgent and should be struck off the roll. I make the following order, the matter is struck off the roll due to lack of urgency,” she said on Wednesday.

The court also ordered the IR to cover legal costs, including those of the DBE and AfriForum, which supported the results’ publication.

AfriForum welcomed the decision as a victory for learners and highlighted the broader discussion on balancing privacy rights and public interest.

The publication of results will proceed next week as planned.

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