The South African Weather Service (SAWS), the country’s critical government-run meteorological agency, has been forced offline following a major cyberattack, disrupting key services relied upon by airlines, farmers, and international allies.
According to an official statement, the SAWS website has been down since Sunday evening, prompting the agency to resort to social media platforms like Facebook and X to relay essential weather updates. This cyberattack has effectively crippled the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems, raising serious concerns over the security of government infrastructure.
Cyberattack Disrupts Critical Operations
SAWS confirmed that the breach was orchestrated by criminal elements, directly impacting operations in aviation and marine services—two sectors that heavily depend on real-time weather forecasting. The agency’s website and internal email system, which serve as the backbone for disseminating critical weather data, have also been compromised.
Despite the breach, SAWS assured the public that alternative methods have been deployed to maintain the flow of essential weather forecasts. ICT service providers have been working on-site since the attack, both to investigate the intrusion and to develop interim and long-term recovery plans.
A Second Attempt in 48 Hours
Notably, SAWS revealed that this was the second cyberattack in just two days, following a failed intrusion attempt on January 25, 2025. This raises questions about the nature of the attackers—whether they were determined cybercriminals, state-sponsored actors, or ransomware groups testing vulnerabilities before executing a successful strike.
South Africa’s regional allies, including Mozambique and Zambia, also rely on SAWS for vital meteorological data, making this breach a broader international concern.
Pattern of Cyberattacks Targeting South Africa
While no ransomware gang has officially claimed responsibility, South Africa continues to experience a surge in cyberattacks, many of which have targeted public institutions. Despite the country’s historical ties to Russia, where many ransomware gangs operate, South African entities remain prime targets for financially and politically motivated cybercriminals.
Recent major cyberattacks include:
- National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Paralyzed: During an mpox outbreak last summer, a ransomware attack crippled the NHLS, delaying test results and public health responses.
- Government Workers’ Pension Organization Breached: Attackers targeted South Africa’s pension fund system in an attempt to extract financial and personal data.
- Defense Department Hack—A Near International Incident: In September 2023, a ransomware attack on the Department of Defense occurred during the controversial BRICS Summit in Johannesburg. Attackers leaked 1.6 terabytes of stolen data, including the personal contact information of South Africa’s president. The government initially denied the attack before later admitting the breach.
- State-Owned Development Bank of Southern Africa Compromised: This financial institution was also struck by ransomware in 2023, further demonstrating the vulnerability of South Africa’s digital infrastructure.
What’s Next?
SAWS urged citizens to follow official social media channels for updates as they work to restore full services. The incident has been reported to law enforcement, though no further details on the investigation have been disclosed.
SAWS CEO Ishaam Abader is expected to address the situation in a public statement on Thursday morning, where more information about the attack and potential perpetrators may emerge.
For now, South Africa remains on high alert as cybercriminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities in its digital and governmental systems.
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