
New regulations will allow police to use cell-phone spying tools on SA citizens.
On Friday, May 19, 2023, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola published a five-year exemption from the RICA (Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act), effectively allowing police to use a variety of otherwise forbidden surveillance tools.
Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi spoke to Loyiso Boyce – Cybersecurity expert and MD of CLYROFOR to give more details as to what this will mean for cybersecurity in South Africa.
LISTEN TO THE FULL CONVERSATION HERE:
The exemption allows the South African Police Service (SAPS) to purchase and utilize signal intercepting devices to get information about any cellular device in a specific location, a request that had previously been regularly denied by Justice ministers.
Also Read: Livestream: National Security Advisor to the President responds to Eskom corruption claims at SCOPA
MyBroadband reports that the SAPS may use hardware keystroke recorders, night vision and thermal imaging equipment, wiretaps, eavesdropping microphones, miniature video and audio recorders, and location tracking devices.
“The latest exemption seeks to ensure that our justice system is modernized, from a Justice perspective the communication ministry has signed off, defence has signed off, state security has signed off, as well as police. There should be exciting times ahead.” says Boyce.
READ NEXT: Reality TV star Babalwa Mneno has bought herself a brand new Bentley


