Work underway to prevent cybercrime within government

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says the South African government is committed to prevent cybercrime activities reportedly happening within its various structures.

This follows a media statement issued by the newly appointed Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, on Wednesday, claiming that about R300 million was allegedly siphoned off from DPWI through cybercrime in the past 10 years.

The statement further alleged that the cyber attackers recently stole R24 million in May this year.

Macpherson said the revelation emerged as he and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala were conducting detailed assessments on the work of the department and through the incoming briefings from department branches.

“I cannot discount the possibility of collusion between officials and criminals in this prolonged period of theft. It is clear that we need better financial controls, which I have said to the department are a matter of urgency,” Macpherson said in the statement.

Following the discovery, four DPWI officials have been suspended and 30 laptops seized by investigators.

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In May, the department announced that it had ordered a full forensic probe into what it called vulnerabilities in the department’s information and technology systems.

Ntshavheni said the State Security Agency (SSA) has been inundated with media enquiries following the statement from the DPWI.

“The investigation is ongoing, and investigating teams were urged to work with speed to conclude their work without compromising the required thoroughness of the investigation,” she said.

“The SSA is finalising a consolidated assessment on government’s cybersecurity strengths and initiatives underway to address any weaknesses found in the system,” the minister added.