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(The Post News)- The North Gauteng High Court has dismissed an urgent application by the Information Regulator to prevent the publication of the 2024 matric results, citing a lack of urgency. This decision comes after the regulator contended that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) was violating the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) by publishing matric results in newspapers.
Judge Ronél Tolmay emphasized that the DBE’s method of publication has been consistent for at least three consecutive years, questioning why this year should be treated differently. The court ruled that the applicant must pay the legal fees of the respondents and set aside the legal proceedings.
The Information Regulator had issued an enforcement notice prohibiting the DBE from publishing matric results in newspapers due to privacy concerns under POPIA. However, the DBE argued that it would release exam numbers without personal details, ensuring compliance with POPIA rules.
This ruling raises questions about balancing transparency and privacy, particularly in light of ongoing discussions surrounding data protection laws. The court’s decision allows the DBE to proceed with publishing the 2024 matric results, but the regulator may still pursue further legal action.
In a related development, the Information Regulator has fined the DBE R5 million for failing to comply with the enforcement notice ². The regulator emphasized that the DBE’s failure to obtain consent from students or their guardians before publishing the results constitutes a breach of privacy.
For now, learners and their families can expect the 2024 matric results to be released on time, maintaining a long-standing tradition.
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