For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Halima Frost. 

Making headlines: At least R300m stolen from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure by cybercriminals over ten years; Freedom Under Law says Hlophe’s election tests GNU’s ability to strengthen credibility of JSC; And, South African soldier killed by hand grenade on UN Congo mission

At least R300m stolen from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure by cybercriminals over ten years

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has revealed that an investigation has determined that at least R300-million has been stolen from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure by cybercriminals over a ten-year period.

The latest incident took place in May, when cyber-attackers stole R24-million from the department. This prompted a full forensic investigation by the Hawks, the South African Police Services, the State Security Agency and experts in the information and communications technology and cybersecurity industry.

This revelation emerged as Macpherson and Deputy Minister Sihle Zikalala conducted detailed assessments of the work of the department through the incoming briefings from department branches.

The Minister has pledged to crack down on these syndicates and those inside the department, or outside the department, who may be working with them.

Freedom Under Law says Hlophe’s election tests GNU’s ability to strengthen credibility of JSC

Freedom Under Law noted today that Umkhonto weSizwe Party’s caucus leader in Parliament Dr John Hlophe’s election to the Judicial Service Commission is an early test of all the parties forming the Government of National Unity to take a position which would ultimately strengthen the credibility of the JSC and the rule of law.

On Tuesday the National Assembly elected Hlophe to the JSC to represent Parliament, together with Molapi Lekganyane, Fasiha Hassan, Glynnis Breytenbach, Julius Malema and Athol Trollip.

Hlophe was removed from his office as a judge for gross misconduct after it was found that he tried to influence Constitutional Court justices to decide a politically sensitive case in favour of former President and present MK leader Jacob Zuma.

The finding of gross misconduct was made by the JSC and the courts, and Parliament impeached him.

FUL said it would be challenging Hlophe's designation as a member of the JSC on rationality and rule of law grounds.

FUL noted that all parties that did not object to the nomination of Hlophe are, by their silence, implicated in this “egregious” decision.

And, South African soldier killed by hand grenade on UN Congo mission

A South African soldier, who was part of a United Nations peacekeeping force in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, died on Monday when a hand grenade exploded close to his sleeping quarters, South Africa's military said.

It was not clear what caused the hand grenade to explode, the South African National Defence Force said, adding that a board of inquiry including UN officials would investigate the incident that happened in Beni.

South African soldiers are in Congo as part of the UN force called MONUSCO and a separate mission deployed by southern African regional bloc SADC to help the government fight rebel groups.

Including the latest death, at least seven South African soldiers have lost their lives in Congo since February.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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