McPherson said in a statement that the amount could be even higher as the investigation continues.
According to him, cyber criminals stole 24 million rand from the department in May this year, reports Xinhua news agency.
The minister said he has asked the South African Police Service, the State Security Agency as well as experts in the information and communications technology and cyber security industry to investigate the matter.
"It has become clear that the department has been an easy target and playground for cybercriminals for more than 10 years and this should have been realized much earlier," McPherson said. He said those responsible for protecting the department from cyber criminals should be held accountable.
Four officials of the department, including three senior management officials and a middle management official, have been suspended, and investigators have seized 30 laptops. "The cyber theft forced the department to shut down its payment system, causing delays in paying its creditors," McPherson said.
The investigation will be expanded and deepened to find the masterminds and beneficiaries of this massive theft, McPherson said.
According to him, cyber criminals stole 24 million rand from the department in May this year, reports Xinhua news agency.
The minister said he has asked the South African Police Service, the State Security Agency as well as experts in the information and communications technology and cyber security industry to investigate the matter.
"It has become clear that the department has been an easy target and playground for cybercriminals for more than 10 years and this should have been realized much earlier," McPherson said. He said those responsible for protecting the department from cyber criminals should be held accountable.
Four officials of the department, including three senior management officials and a middle management official, have been suspended, and investigators have seized 30 laptops. "The cyber theft forced the department to shut down its payment system, causing delays in paying its creditors," McPherson said.
The investigation will be expanded and deepened to find the masterminds and beneficiaries of this massive theft, McPherson said.
