Spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said the department received an anonymous tip-off on its hotline for reporting exam irregularities.
The whistleblower claimed the teachers were charging each pupil R1 500 to join the WhatsApp group.
“The department is investigating the allegations which we take very seriously, based on the information that we have gathered in the preliminary investigation,” said Mhlanga.
He says if anybody is involved with any irregularities that affect the National Senior Certification Exams, it is seen in a very serious light.
Mhlanga says teachers who are found guilty will be dismissed.
In the case of the learners, the result could be blocked until the investigation is completed.
If found guilty, they will have to rewrite or be banned for a year or two, depending on the severity of the matter and the extent of involvement.
The 2022 matric results will be released on the 20th of January 2023.
