Government Urges South Africans To Stay Safe Online During Cybersecurity Awareness Month
The South African government is calling on citizens to remain vigilant, responsible, and digitally aware to protect themselves from growing threats in cyberspace.
“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,” said the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) on Friday.
As South Africa joins the world in marking Cybersecurity Awareness Month this October, government departments and partners are working to educate the public and private sectors about the importance of online safety and practical ways to reduce cyber risks.
In collaboration with law enforcement, civil society, and private organisations, government hosted a cybersecurity awareness webinar to highlight responsible online behaviour and share insights on tackling cyber threats.
During the session, Noma-Efese Mnqeta, Deputy Director for Cybersecurity Operations at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, spoke about the role of the National Cybersecurity Hub — a Computer Security Incident Response Team that supports cybercrime investigations and public awareness initiatives. The Hub works closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Internet Service Providers’ Association, and the GCIS to combat online fraud and remove fake websites.
Mnqeta also warned about the increase in tender scams, investment fraud, and online shopping scams that continue to target unsuspecting South Africans.
Brigadier Rapula Mosito from the HAWKS’ Cybercrime Investigation Unit explained that cybercrime is prosecutable under the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, with additional guidance to be provided by the upcoming Cybersecurity Bill. He highlighted common online threats such as phishing, ransomware, malware, identity theft, and child exploitation.
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Film and Publications Board (FPB) Acting CEO, Hulisani Ramugadi, raised concerns about the rise in harmful online content, including cyberbullying, image-based abuse, hate speech, and malicious AI-generated material. He reminded citizens that sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence, and noted that the FPB works with social media platforms to remove harmful content.
Omphile Kgwathe-Nkiwane, Head of Client Services at Digify Africa, encouraged citizens to adopt safe online habits and take advantage of digital education tools such as the Kitso WhatsApp platform (076 593 7181), which offers digital safety advice for parents, teachers, and learners.
She advised the public to use strong passwords that do not include personal information, avoid sharing one-time pins (OTPs) or banking details, and never use public Wi-Fi for confidential transactions. She also urged South Africans to stay alert for suspicious links, unsolicited calls, and phishing emails.
With cybercrime on the rise, the government is reminding citizens that online safety begins with awareness. Staying informed, using secure passwords, and thinking twice before sharing personal information can go a long way in keeping South Africans safe in the digital space.
Additional reporting from sanews.gov.za
