R300m stolen by Hackers from the Department of Public Works over 10 years. The investigations are ongoing as the cybercriminals are suspected to be working with state officials.
According to SA Government News, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has decided to take the public into his confidence in the interests of transparency to reveal a staggering cyber – crime related matter that has been unearthed by the department resulting in an amount of at least R300milion being stolen in the past 10 years, however this could be more as investigations continue.
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“It has become clear that the department has been a soft target and playground for cyber criminals for over a 10 year period and this should have been picked up a lot earlier. I felt it important to let South Africa know what has happened and what we are doing about it. I cannot discount the possibility of collision 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.” said Minister.
The Minister is intending to stop the cybersecurity crime going on at the Department of Public Works.
“We want to put a stop to this immediately because we cannot allow our department to be subjected to unchecked looting. This is money that could have been spent on our infrastructure drive to improve the lives of South Africans. The investigation will be expanded and deepened to find the masterminds and the beneficiaries of this grand theft, and I want to see them in prison” added Minister Macpherson.
Four officials have been suspended and 30 laptops seized by the investigators. The four state officials suspended including three senior management officials and one middle management official.
Because of that, the department was forced to shut down all its payment system causing significant delays in the payment of its creditors.
“I welcome the precautionary suspension of four individuals including senior managers and the seizure of over 30 laptops for further examination by the investigative teams. This will allow the investigations to proceed smoothly. We are appealing to the team probing this security breach to conclude their investigation with speed. We do not want prolonged investigations with no results and consequences. There is simply no place for corruption in this department.” said Minister Dean Macpherson.
“I further welcome the initial swift investigation launched by my predecessor and now Deputy Minister Zikalala. The department has suffered a massive financial loss and those responsible for protecting us from cyber criminals must be held to account. We need answers as to what happened under their watch. We also ask the investigators to trace and follow the money and ensure that it is brought back to the coffers of government.” added Minister Macpherson.
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In order to ensure that such situations are avoided in the future, the Minister has promised to put in endless effort to ensure the department’s cyber security systems are strengthened.