The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) recently revealed extensive cybercrime in the Ekurhuleni Metro, where cybercriminals are estimated to have stolen more than R2 billion from the Metro’s billing system over an extended period. This shocking revelation serves as further proof of the ANC-led coalition’s maladministration.
Cybercriminals repeatedly breached the Metro’s billing system through unprotected Wi-Fi at the Licensing Department in Bedfordview. Spyware was installed, passwords were stolen, and debt records were systematically manipulated by criminals in vehicles outside the building. Consequently, debts were unlawfully written off and tariff clearance certificates were unlawfully issued.
The Metro itself labelled it a “digital state of emergency”. An independent forensic report, issued as far back as July 2025, stated that internal collusion and poor IT controls facilitated the cyberattacks. Despite these warnings, the ANC-led administration failed to act timeously.
While residents must put up with poor service delivery, pothole-ridden roads, water and electricity outages, high tariffs and poor debt collection, billions in taxpayers’ hard-earned money have simply disappeared.
This incident of cybercrime is no accident; it is the direct consequence of years of cadre deployment, incompetent appointments, inadequate oversight and an utter lack of accountability under ANC rule.
The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands immediate and decisive action from the Ekurhuleni Metro Council, including a thorough, independent forensic investigation into all IT transactions, account manipulations and payments over the relevant period.
The public and the Council have the right to know exactly what went wrong and who was responsible.
In addition, the names of all the implicated officials, contractors and political leaders should be fully disclosed. All those involved in fraud, corruption or negligence must face criminal prosecution.
Senior managers and the political leadership should also be held personally accountable for allowing the Metro’s critical systems to be breached so easily.
At the same time, urgent and decisive steps should be taken to increase cybersecurity; such as introducing independent monitoring and regular audits of all financial and administrative systems to prevent a recurrence of a breach of this magnitude.
Ekurhuleni residents deserve better. They deserve an administration that safeguards their money and appoints competent, accountable individuals.
On 4 November, residents have a golden opportunity to put a stop to this vicious cycle of failure by voting for the Freedom Front Plus.
Freedom Front Plus Women’s League: The party also has a women’s organization to promote female representation.
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