Three people were arrested in Nelspruit after they were found in possession of leaked 2009 matric examination papers, Mpumalanga police said on Wednesday.

Two matric students and a teacher were found in possession of examination papers for Mathematics Paper 1 and 2, Physical Science Paper 1 and 2, and Accounting, said Captain Leonard Hlathi.

He said one pupil and the teacher were arrested on Tuesday and the other student was arrested on Wednesday.

"We have charged them with breaching the Control Access Information Act of 2000. They will all appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday."

Hlathi said the examination papers were now held as evidence by the police.

Mpumalanga education department spokesperson Jasper Zwane confirmed the arrests. He said the three were in possession of examination "material" that they were not suppose to possess.

"Investigations are ongoing to verify the type of material, the spread and if it can be linked to the coming examinations," said Zwane.

Zwane commended the police for their swiftness in handling the matter.

Matric examinations will commence on 26 October.