Are hackers holding our local government to ransom? episode artwork

EPISODE · May 14, 2026 · 5 MIN

Are hackers holding our local government to ransom?

from Daily Maverick · host Daily Maverick

South African municipalities are sitting on goldmines of your personal data — ID numbers, addresses, billing details — and they are catastrophically unprepared to protect it. No skills, ancient tech, and bureaucratic red tape have left our local governments wide open to ransomware gangs and phishing attacks. And the thieves? They’re already inside the house. Daily Maverick’s Lindsey Schutters explains. Reporting by: Lindsey Schutters  Filmed by: Joel Seboa  Edited by: Anda Tolibadi  Produced by: Emilie Gambade  Creative lead by: Malibongwe Tyilo  Sub-edited by: Kevin Flynn  Support journalism that protects democracy.  Become a Maverick Insider. https://tinyurl.com/SupportDailyMaverick  Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@DailyMaverickSA/videos Follow us on X : https://x.com/dailymaverick Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dailymaverick Check our website: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/dailymaverick/ Check out our TikTok page: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailymavericksa Download Daily Maverick Mobile App: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/daily-maverick-app/   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

South African municipalities are sitting on goldmines of your personal data — ID numbers, addresses, billing details — and they are catastrophically unprepared to protect it. No skills, ancient tech, and bureaucratic red tape have left our local governments wide open to ransomware gangs and phishing attacks. And the thieves? They’re already inside the house. Daily Maverick’s Lindsey Schutters explains.

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Are hackers holding our local government to ransom?

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South African municipalities are sitting on goldmines of your personal data — ID numbers, addresses, billing details — and they are catastrophically unprepared to protect it. No skills, ancient tech, and bureaucratic red tape have left our local...

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