At least R300m stolen from Public Works Dept by cyberhackers over past 10 years - Macpherson
An investigation by the Hawks, South African Police Services, State Security, as well as ITC and cyber experts is currently under way.
Dean Macpherson (right) was sworn-in as the minister of public works and infrastructure at the CTICC in Cape Town on 3 July 2024. Picture: @DepartmentPWI/X
JOHANNESBURG - The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has revealed that at least R300 million has been stolen from the department over the past 10 years by cyber hackers.
Macpherson said the most recent incident was in May, where hackers stole R24 million.
He also believes some within the department might have been involved in the scheme.
An investigation by the Hawks, South African Police Services (SAPS), State Security, as well as ITC and cyber experts is currently under way.
With just a few weeks in office, Dean Macpherson is playing open cards with the public.
“A staggering cybercrime-related matter has been unearthed by the department resulting in an amount of at least R300 million being stolen from our bank account in the past ten years. However, I must state that this could be more as investigations continue.”
He said the most recent episode saw hackers making off with R24 million.
“It has become clear that the department has become a soft target for cyber criminals over the last ten years, and this should have been picked up a lot earlier.”
Macpherson said the disclosure is an attempt to gain his department's trust and confidence from South Africans.