The Department of Basic Education (DBE) on Sunday said the first phase of the investigation into irregularities involving mass copying in the 2014 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination has been completed.

“A team comprising the DBE, Umalusi representatives and provincial Education Department officials in the affected provinces completed the first phase of the investigation last week,” the department said.

The second phase will commence on Monday, with a team that will conduct hearings starting with chief invigilators and invigilators.

The department said the affected matriculants will also appear before the committee to tell their side of the story.

“Umalusi will monitor the entire process while teacher unions will observe the hearings,” the department said.

This after Umalusi disapproved the release of grade 12 results of 39 centres in KwaZulu-Natal and 19 centres in the Eastern Cape due to evidence of group copying. DBE has since started investigating the case.

“Between 23 and 26 January, the Provincial Examination and Assessment Irregularities Committee will submit its recommendations to the National Examination and Assessment Irregularities Committee.

“The final outcome of the investigation will be announced and the results of the candidates whose cases have been cleared will be released. Letters of sanction for candidates found guilty of involvement will then be released,” the department said.

Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said investigations should be concluded as soon as possible to allow learners who are cleared of wrongdoing to continue with their lives and take advantage of opportunities available to them.

The department said those who wish to appeal the outcomes of the investigation will be given an opportunity to do so.

“The final announcement on the investigation is expected to be made by 30 January. More than 5 300 candidates from all provinces are currently being investigated for various alleged irregularities, including mass copying arising from the 2014 Grade 12 final examinations,” the department said.