Author: Gugu Lourie

Angry FNB customers took to the social media platform X on Friday to express their frustration over the banking mobile app being down and inaccessible. “We are aware that there are issues being experienced across our channels. Our IT teams are working on restoring full functionality to the affected services,” FNB posted on X. “We apologise to our valued customers for the inconvenience caused.” Some customers even argued that FNB is slowly becoming Capitec Bank, very unreliable! FNB is slowly becoming Capitec Bank, very unreliable! pic.twitter.com/xZz2NiutqM — Harry Mabusela 🇿🇦 (@Harry_shuf) August 23, 2024 . @FNBSA , Why can’t I access…

MultiChoice announced today that it will not discontinue the controversial consultancy fees paid to certain board members. Earlier this year, Business Times reported that newly appointed board chair Elias Masilela had indicated that these special consultancy fees would be reviewed and likely scrapped. These arrangements involved three board members, including former chair Imtiaz Patel, receiving consultancy fees for professional advisory services. The board justified these payments by arguing that the cost was lower than hiring external consultants. However, the consultancy agreement with board member Kgomotso Moroka, which earned her R1.5 million, was terminated last year following shareholder concerns. Another board…

Eskom Distribution has officially launched its Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, marking a significant step toward a sustainable and innovative future. The power utility made the announcement on its X page on Wednesday. “By setting our standard for eMobility in South Africa, we are not just reducing our carbon footprint but paving the way forward,” remarked Gabriel Kgabo, the General Manager in the Office of the Group Executive, who led the launch. Eskom is positioning itself as a key player in supporting the development of the electric mobility (eMobility) sector in South Africa. This launch will integrate Eskom into the…

The DA today opened a criminal case with the Hawks to investigate alleged tender fraud of R831 100 in the Mamusa Local Municipality. “Documents in our possession indicate that the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mr Vincent Masilo, who also serves as the Acting Municipal Manager, allegedly facilitated the purchase of 16 Mecer Xpress Executive MW10Q17+ tablets for R590 000. A single tablet retails between R3 000 and R4 000, but CFO Masilo allegedly paid R36 875 per device, inflated by 920%,” said CJ Steyl, DA North West Provincial Spokesperson: Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs. See documents here. In…

Empire Partner Foundation (EPF) firmly believes in the power of homegrown innovation. The foundation is deeply committed to nurturing local talent and has collaborated with visionary technology partners and startups across South Africa. EPF’s mission has always been to elevate the local tech community by providing the resources and platforms necessary for their success. “We’re excited to unveil a new initiative that reflects this commitment—a carefully curated Directory of South African Innovation,” EPF said in its Linkedln page. “This isn’t just a list; it’s a showcase of trusted local tech companies that have been rigorously vetted for their quality and…

Eskom has confirmed the arrest of four employees and a contractor security guard in connection with the theft of R500,000 worth of heavy fuel oil from Camden Power Station. The accused, detained at Ermelo Police Station, were charged following their initial arrests on 10 August 2024. Two Eskom Weighbridge Operators were apprehended at midnight for colluding to steal and defraud the company. On 16 August 2024, two additional Eskom employees – a Weighbridge Operator and a Control Room Operator -and a contractor security guard were also arrested. All suspects remain in custody, with the case postponed to 27 August 2024…

On August 20, 2024, Eskom, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, successfully removed over 35 illegally connected transformers in Diepsloot Extension 6, Gauteng. This operation is part of Eskom’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its network and reduce the strain from unauthorized electricity connections. During the 2022/23 financial year, Eskom faced non-technical losses amounting to approximately R5 billion due to illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other electricity-related crimes. These activities not only harm Eskom’s financial stability but also hinder its ability to provide reliable electricity to legitimate customers. Illegally connected transformers destabilize the network, leading to frequent supply interruptions, extended outages,…

Kaspersky has uncovered an online fraud campaign targeting Windows and macOS users worldwide, aiming to steal cryptocurrency and sensitive information. Orchestrated by Russian-speaking cybercriminals, the attackers exploit popular topics like web3, crypto, AI, and online gaming to lure victims with fake websites. These sites, which closely mimic legitimate services such as crypto platforms, online role-playing games, and AI translators, are polished and sophisticated. Despite minor differences in elements like names and URLs, the convincing design of these malicious sites increases the likelihood of successful attacks. The campaign spreads info-stealing and clipper malware, posing a significant threat to individuals globally. Victims…

In a troubling development, cybersecurity experts have identified a sharp increase in malware infections, traced back to deceptive online ads that are spreading a malicious software loader known as FakeBat. These covert campaigns are catching users off guard, leading to widespread security breaches. Since mid-2023, Mandiant Managed Defense has responded to a surge in malware infections originating from malvertising campaigns. “These attacks are opportunistic in nature, targeting users seeking popular business software. The infection utilizes a trojanized MSIX installer, which executes a PowerShell script to download a secondary payload,” the Mandiant Managed Defense team said in a technical report. “Our research into…

The question of whether Wits’ Flower Hall Exam Building is the most innovative in the world will soon be answered. The Wits Flower Hall Examination and Test Centre, located on Wits University’s Campus West, has gained international recognition for its transformative and sustainable design. It has been shortlisted in the Creative Reuse category at the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF), scheduled to take place in Singapore from 6 to 8 November 2024. Originally part of the Rand Easter Show showgrounds, the Flower Hall has undergone a remarkable redevelopment led by Savage + Dodd Architects. The project transformed the aging, uncomfortable…