Africa-Press – Namibia. EMMA Theofelus, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, has said that there is a pressing need to redouble efforts in the fight against cybercrime, with the country recording a total of 1,103,784 reported cyber threats and 1,090,342 cyber vulnerabilities in Namibia from January to June 2025.
Delivering an address on the cybersecurity situation in Parliament this week, Theofelus explained that the statistics, published by the Namibia Cyber Security Incident Response Team (NAM-CSIRT), should serve as a wake-up call for all.
“These statistics underscore the urgency of finalising comprehensive legislative frameworks for the protection of personal information and cybersecurity. Additionally, this should highlight the importance of organisations prioritising robust cybersecurity measures, investing in cybersecurity, and strengthening data management practices. It also calls for intensified cybersecurity awareness efforts across the entire cyber ecosystem. Most cybercrimes are caused by human error. Cybercriminals are skilled at exploiting human nature,” Theofelus said.
She added that actions such as clicking on unfamiliar links without verifying them, sharing ‘winning’ messages in family groups, and engaging with unknown callers claiming we’ve won money from competitions we never entered, put people at risk of falling victim to cybercrime.
“Let us be mindful of what we post on our social media platforms, as such information can be used against us. There has been a growing number of reported cases involving cybercrimes committed using SIM cards, where individuals are deceived through impersonation schemes, and fraudsters gain access to sensitive information — including one-time bank PINs — to carry out fraudulent transactions. I must emphasise that SIM card registration plays a critical role in assisting investigations involving telecommunications devices, and it strengthens the foundation for secure e-commerce and digital transactions. However, it is important to note that cybercrimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and cyber fraudsters constantly work to find loopholes in any system — much like criminals breaking into a house or building, even one equipped with modern security systems,” Theofelus said.
She further stated that her ministry has engaged with mobile network operators and the regulator on the matter, who have provided assurances that SIM cards are registered in accordance with legal requirements.
“Some operators have begun implementing SIM card fraud management solutions capable of detecting cloned or suspiciously used SIM cards, while others are building the necessary capacity and systems to effectively address SIM card cloning,” she said.
Addressing remedies for the rising cyber threats, the Minister added that the Data Protection Bill has already been discussed by the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, and the team is currently incorporating comments for re-submission.
“I intend to table this Bill during the current sitting. UNICEF is providing assistance to finalise the Cybercrime Bill, which incorporates the adopted United Nations Convention on Cybercrime. The Electronic Signature Regulations, developed in line with the Electronic Transactions Act, are currently being certified by the Ministry of Justice and Labour Relations before gazetting, to give legal recognition to electronic signatures. Additionally, we are working on regulations regarding the accreditation of security services and products. The Communications Amendment Act has been redrafted and will soon be resubmitted to the Cabinet Committee on Legislation,” Theofelus said, listing some of the reforms underway.
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