Fourth suspect arrested after break-in at Joburg’s IT nerve centre to appear today

A fourth suspect has been arrested in connection with a break-in at the City of Johannesburg’s data centre in Braamfontein two weeks ago, City Buzz reports.

The suspect was arrested on Monday by the South African Police Services (SAPS), working together with the City’s Group Forensic Investigation Department and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, after he was found in possession of tools allegedly used during the break-in.

READ MORE: R100k reward for info on Joburg IT attack

The suspect is expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court today. The tools used to commit the crime have been seized by the police.

His co-accused, Nkosiphendule Ngomeni, Legogang Ngomani and Mcoseleli Kasi, were apprehended last week. They all appeared in the Hillbrow Magistrates’ Court, and were denied bail.

The arrests are a result of a tip-off received from a member of the public regarding the theft. The investigation is still ongoing, and more arrests are imminent.

Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba said: “We are investing in the protection of our citizen’s information, while ensuring that we build capacity internally, with the aim of hosting our data infrastructure while minimizing our dependency on suppliers to host our infrastructure.”

“Earlier, I had indicated my suspicion that the break-in was the result of an inside job, judging from the way that the criminals gained access to the building. There are no signs of forced entry from the door they used.

During the theft, the criminals made off with copper cables estimated to be around R2-million. This valuable infrastructure was sold by these criminals for R20 000. The City spends about R60 million a year replacing stolen cables.”

R100k reward for info on Joburg IT attack