RUSTENBURG HERALD - RUSTENBURG - "ActionSA notes with extreme concern the alleged hacking of the Rustenburg Local Municipality's IT network. This incident occurs against the backdrop of ActionSA laying criminal charges against the Municipal Manager for alleged fraud and corruption, raising serious questions about potential links between the two events," said Thabo Nkashe, Action SANW Provincial Chairperson in a media release on Friday last week.
"Action SA calls upon the Rustenburg Local Municipality to immediately take its residents into its confidence by disclosing the full extent of this alleged IT network breach.
“It is imperative that the municipality provides a comprehensive update on the situation, including what data may have been compromised and what steps are being taken to secure the network.
“Furthermore, ActionSA de-mands an urgent, external and independent investigation of the entire IT unit to determine the root cause of this alleged hack.
“The timing of this incident - following the laying of fraud and corruption charges against the Municipal Manager, is highly suspicious and warrants a thorough, unbiased inquiry. This investigation must seek to determine whether the hack was a deliberate act to destroy or compromise evidence related to the criminal charges," Nkase said.
"Action SA has already laid criminal charges against the Municipal Manager for alleged fraud and corruption and we now call on the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) to expedite their investigation into these serious allegations.
“The alleged hacking of the municipality's network makes it apparent that there may be efforts to obstruct justice and erase critical evidence," he continued.
“ActionSA remains committed to rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability in all spheres of government. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and will not rest until the residents of Rustenburg receive the transparency and justice they deserve," Nkashe concluded.
Rustenburg Herald requested comment from the Rustenburg Local Municipality on the alleged cyber attack on its IT network. Read the response on page 5 of this edition.
