Gauteng Legislature's safety committee calls for tighter regulations to curb cybercrimes

JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety said tighter regulations were needed to curb cybercrimes as law enforcement identified a modus operandi for criminals on social media.

This as police warned the public about criminals scouting for victims on popular dating apps.

The committee previously revealed that Maboneng in Johannesburg had become a hotspot, with unsuspecting victims lured to the precinct through dating apps and social media platforms, only to be robbed, kidnapped, or assaulted.

In addition to dating apps, the committee said that victims were also deceived by strangers they met in malls, similar to the case of murdered Olorato Mongale.

Mongale turned up dead in May after going on a date with a man she had recently met.

Chairperson of the portfolio committee on community safety in Gauteng, Bandile Masuku: "This tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers that lurk on social media where predators exploit trust and technology to commit heinous crimes. We must strengthen our cybercrime capabilities and digital safety education, especially for young people."