By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille is scheduled is set to with Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson following revelations of cyberattacks that drained R300 million from the department over ten years.
Macpherson has suspended four officials and seized 30 laptops in connection with the ongoing investigation.
“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,” Macpherson said.
I have decided to take the public into confidence and advise South Africa that at least R300 million has been stolen from the department in the last 10 years in an elaborate scheme by cyber-hackers, and potentially officials within the department. It is unthinkable that this has… pic.twitter.com/5yR5f3ld7w
— Dean Macpherson MP (@DeanMacpherson) July 10, 2024
“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.”
De Lille, who led the ministry from 2019 to 2023, said she intended to discuss the report’s findings relevant to her tenure and emphasised her past actions in swiftly addressing irregularities.
“I was the minister of DPWI [department of public works and infrastructure] for just under four years. There were two other ministers [Thulas Nxesi and Nathi Nhleko] during the 10-year period referred to in the new minister’s statement. I will be meeting Macpherson next week and will request a copy of the report for the period relevant to my time at [the department],” the minister said.
She added: “During my time I was able to recover R253m related to leases where the government was overcharged. I had an agreement with the SIU [Special Investigating Unit], who seconded two SIU officials to help investigate all allegations in DPWI.
For the record, my response to the statement by @DepartmentPWI Minister @DeanMacpherson on the cyber crime matter at DPWI pic.twitter.com/umdDqqaNYg
— Patricia de Lille (@PatriciaDeLille) July 10, 2024
“Once I have seen the report from minister Macpherson, relevant to my period, I will then be able to respond fully.
“During my tenure at DPWI, wherever any irregularities and alleged corruption were uncovered, I acted swiftly to report matters to the auditor-general and the SIU.”
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