- The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) revealed a cyber theft of R300 million over 10 years.
- The most recent cyber-attack in May 2024 resulted in a loss of R24 million.
- Four DPWI officials have been suspended amid ongoing investigations.
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has disclosed a massive cyber theft that resulted in the loss of at least R300 million over the past decade.
DPWI lost R300 million to cyber theft in the past 10 years
This revelation came from Minister Dean Macpherson, who emphasised the need for transparency and accountability.
The theft, which potentially involved collusion between department officials and cyber criminals, went unnoticed for years.
In May 2024, the department suffered another cyber-attack, resulting in the theft of R24 million.
This incident prompted a comprehensive forensic investigation by the Hawks, South African Police Services, the State Security Agency, and experts in the ICT and cyber security industry.
Minister Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala have been conducting detailed assessments and briefings to understand the extent of the issue.
The Minister highlighted the department’s vulnerability to cyber criminals, stating:
“It is unthinkable that this has gone on for so long without being noticed. We will ensure that financial controls are tightened and those responsible are held accountable.”
Four DPWI officials suspended over suspected fraud
In response to the investigation, four DPWI officials, including three senior management and one middle management official, have been suspended.
Investigators have seized 30 laptops as part of their examination. The department has also shut down its payment systems temporarily, causing delays in creditor payments.
Minister Macpherson has pledged to crack down on the syndicates and those involved in the theft, both internally and externally.
He expressed his commitment to stopping the looting and improving the department’s financial controls.
The investigation, which involves cyber and ICT security experts, aims to address several key areas:
- Causes of the breach and vulnerabilities in the ICT infrastructure.
- The susceptibility of the department’s systems to cyber-crime.
- Lack of staff capacity and weak ICT systems.
Minister Macpherson welcomed the precautionary suspension of the officials and the seizure of laptops, stating:
“This will allow the investigations to proceed smoothly. We do not want prolonged investigations with no results and consequences. There is simply no place for corruption in this department.”
The Minister also praised the initial swift investigation launched by his predecessor, Deputy Minister Zikalala.
He stressed the importance of holding those responsible accountable and recovering the stolen funds.
In May, the department announced a full forensic probe into vulnerabilities in its information and technology systems.
This probe was conducted with the assistance of banking partners, including ABSA and the South African Reserve Bank.
Minister Macpherson concluded by committing to reinforcing the department’s cyber security systems to prevent future incidents.
He urged the investigative team to conclude their work swiftly and ensure that justice is served.