Author: Gugu Lourie
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…
MTN’s super app platform, ayoba, has seen remarkable growth, expanding its user base by 28.6% year-on-year to reach 36 million monthly active users (MAUs) by the end of June 2024. This surge in users is largely attributed to the platform’s enhanced communication features, which have driven higher adoption and retention rates. Digital revenue for MTN increased by 19.3% year-on-year to R1.6 billion, bolstered by the company’s expansion into new business segments and the rising adoption of digital products, especially in key markets like Nigeria and Ghana. The company’s focus on scaling the Gaming and Video verticals also contributed to this…
Despite facing significant challenges in the first half of the year, MTN’s Bayobab delivered strong financial results. The company navigated a complex landscape that included the ongoing conflict in Sudan, local currency volatility, and disruptions caused by multiple subsea cable cuts. These cable cuts led to downtime for eight major subsea cables connecting the African continent, with four of these cables on the west coast of Africa experiencing simultaneous outages. Remarkably, Bayobab managed to restore service within a few days, leveraging existing redundant capacity links and the newly installed Equiano cable. In this challenging environment, Bayobab achieved a resilient financial…
MTN’s strategic push to diversify its business is paying off, with significant growth in fintech services and data traffic driving a notable increase in sales. By expanding beyond its traditional telecom offerings, the company is not only strengthening its market position but also tapping into new revenue streams that are proving to be highly lucrative. In constant currency, data service revenue increased by 21% in the six months to 30 June 2024 and fintech service revenue climbed by 27%. By the end of June 2024, MTN reported a modest 0.8% increase in its subscriber base, reaching 288 million across 18…