Government issues urgent warning on rising cybercrime
South African officials emphasise the importance of cybersecurity awareness during a recent webinar, urging citizens to adopt safer online practices amid rising cybercrime threats.
Image: File
The South African government has raised the alarm over escalating cyber threats, urging citizens to adopt safer online practices as part of Cybersecurity Awareness Month.
At a webinar on Cybersecurity Awareness and Responsible Use of Online Platforms, hosted in partnership with law enforcement, civil society, and the private sector, experts outlined the growing dangers of online fraud, harmful content, and data theft, while also offering practical tools for digital safety.
Noma-Efese Mnqeta, Deputy Director for Cybersecurity Operations at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, stressed the importance of the National Cybersecurity Hub in responding to online crimes.
“The Hub works closely with the South African Police Service on cybercrime investigations, the Internet Service Providers’ Association on fraudulent website takedowns, and the Government Communication and Information System on public awareness.”
Mnqeta warned that tender scams, investment scams, and online shopping fraud remain some of the most common schemes targeting South Africans.
Highlighting the need for everyday digital caution, Omphile Kgwathe-Nkiwane, Head of Client Services at Digify Africa, called on citizens to adopt safer habits.
“Use strong passwords and avoid personal information in them. Never share one-time pins (OTPs) or banking details, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions and stay alert to suspicious links, unsolicited calls, and fraudulent emails,” she urged.
She also encouraged parents and educators to use resources like Kitso on WhatsApp to educate young people about online safety.
Concerns about harmful online content were echoed by Acting CEO of the Film and Publications Board (FPB), Hulisani Ramugadi.
“Sharing intimate images without consent is a crime,” he warned, adding that the FPB has partnered with social media platforms to issue takedown notices for harmful material linked to cyberbullying, hate speech, and malicious AI-generated content.
Law enforcement officials underlined the legal consequences of cybercrime. Brigadier Rapula Mosito, Section Head of Cybercrime Investigation at the Hawks, noted that such offences fall under the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, while cybersecurity matters are being strengthened through the forthcoming Cybersecurity Bill.
“Phishing, ransomware, malware, identity theft, online child exploitation, and personal data theft are among the key threats we continue to investigate,” said deputy government spokesperson William Baloyi.
The government has called for a collective effort to fight digital crime.
“Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can protect citizens, especially vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, from the ever-growing threats in the digital space,” Baloyi said.
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