IMG 20240710 WA0009
Picture courtesy: (@DeanMacpherson Shared via X) Minister Dean Macpherson reveals the depth of the cybercrime at DPWI and the government’s steps towards rectification and prevention of future incidents.
(The Post News)- The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) finds itself at the centre of a cybercrime investigation that has laid bare a decade-long theft totalling R300 million.
This alarming information came to light following a media statement released by Dean Macpherson MP, dated July 10, which has brought to light the systemic vulnerabilities that have plagued the department and the new measures being implemented by the government of national unity to foster transparency and accountability.
The statement by Minister Macpherson is a damning indictment of the past failures and a clarion call for urgent reform.
“It has become clear that the department has been a soft target and playground for cybercriminals for over 10 years and this should have been picked up a lot earlier,” Macpherson stated.
The minister’s words paint a picture of a department besieged by digital raiders, with the possibility of internal collusion casting a long shadow over the integrity of its operations.
The investigation, which began under former minister Sihle Zikalala, has now seen the suspension of four officials and the seizure of thirty laptops as part of the evidence-gathering process.
This decisive action signals a shift towards transparency and accountability under the new government of national unity, which has pledged to keep the public informed and involved in the governance process.
The question that looms large is why the previous ministers failed to detect and address the rampant cybercrime within the department.
The current investigation aims to uncover whether there was a benefit from turning a blind eye or if it was a case of gross negligence, unravelling layers of complicity and oversight failures.
According to the statement, the most recent cyber attack occurred in May, when R24 million was illicitly transferred out of the department’s accounts.
This incident prompted an extensive forensic investigation by the Hawks, the South African Police Service, the State Security Agency, and IT experts.
The probe led to the seizure of 30 departmental laptops and the suspension of three senior management officials, along with one middle management official.
Macpherson’s statement further emphasises the urgent need for robust financial controls.
“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,” he remarked.
The cyber theft at DPWI isn’t just a financial loss but a breach of public trust and diverts funds from vital infrastructure development for personal gain.
As the investigation continues, with the assistance of the Hawks, South African Police Services, State Security Agency (SSA), and cybersecurity experts, the implementation of the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF), and the adequacy of the military Cyber Command will all come under scrutiny.
The outcome of this probe will not only determine the fate of those implicated but will also set a precedent for how cybercrime is combated in South Africa’s public sector.
The new GNU Minister of DPWI stands as a symbol of this renewed effort to combat corruption and strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure.
In the words of Minister Macpherson, “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.”
Picture: Minister Dean Macpherson reveals the depth of the cybercrime at DPWI and the government’s steps towards rectification and prevention of future incidents.
About the Author
Discover more from The Post News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
