By Betha Madhomu
Cape Town – The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has disclosed a severe cyber-crime involving the theft of R300 million over the past decade, with an additional R24 million stolen in a recent May 2024 incident.
Minister Dean Macpherson announced a full forensic investigation involving multiple agencies and cybersecurity experts.
He expressed concern over potential collusion between officials and criminals and emphasised the urgent need for enhanced financial controls.
“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.”
The minister has committed to aggressively targeting these syndicates and any individuals collaborating with them, whether from within or outside the department.
“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,” Macpherson said.
Four senior officials have been suspended, and 30 laptops seized as part of the investigation, which aims to uncover the masterminds and beneficiaries of the theft.
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Picture: X/@DepartmentPWI
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