Minister Dean Macpherson on R300 million cyber crime theft unearthed at Department Public Works and Infrastructure
10 Jul 2024
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.
In the latest episode that took place in May 2024, the cyber-attackers stole a further R24million. This prompted a full forensic investigation by the Hawks, South African Police Services, State Security Agency and experts in the ICT and cyber security industry.
This revelation emerged as Minister Dean Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala, conducted detailed assessments on the work of the department and through the incoming briefings from department branches.
“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 has pledged to crack down on these syndicates and those in cahoots with them internally or externally.
“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.