By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The growing threat of cybercrime needs a global, co-ordinated responses and African countries must not be excluded from efforts to shape a response. This was the view expressed by Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (JCD) Mmamoloko Kubayi at the Republic of Vietnam Convention in Hanoi, on Sunday.
She was speaking at the signing ceremony at the High Level Conference of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime. Kubayi said that cybercrime not only affects individual privacy and national security, but also the “integrity of global systems and institutions”.
“Cybercriminals exploit technological advances with increasing sophistication, targeting critical infrastructure, financial systems, vulnerable populations as well as contributing to the proliferation of child sexual exploitation material across borders”, Kubayi said.
“Given the transnational nature of the threats, a globally coordinated response is imperative”.
She noted that the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime marks a pivotal and timely milestone in the “international community’s efforts to confront this evolving threat”.
Kubayi emphasised that the exploitation of children online demands urgent and coordinated action.
“No country can confront cybercrime alone. The exploitation of children online demands our urgent and coordinated action.” said Kubayi. “As international cooperation lies at the heart of this convention, we must work collectively and exchange timeous information to prevent, detect and prosecute these crimes to ensure that victims receive the justice they deserve.”
She expressed that African countries in digital transformation face “increasing” cyber threats that threaten developmental gains.
She said that efforts to combat cybercrime must be “inclusive, responsive to diverse national contexts, and grounded in international cooperation”.
“It is in recognition of these imperatives that South Africa decided to sign the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime”, she said.
“Joining the Convention would also align South Africa’s domestic legal framework with international normative standards and complement existing commitments”.
She added that the Convention provisions for technical assistance and capacity building, which will “help strengthen South Africa’s institutional capabilities in effectively investigating, prosecuting, and adjudicating cybercrime”.
The DJCD signed the convention reaffirming South Africa’s unwavering commitment to multilateralism, the rule of law, and human rights
“We view this instrument not as the end of a process, but as the beginning of a new chapter in global cyber governance, one that must be characterised by ongoing dialogue, transparency, and collaboration”.
Kubayi said that South Africa is looking forward to the finalisation of the “Rules of Procedure for the Conference of States Parties to the Convention and underscores the importance of adopting an inclusive approach with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to combating cybercrime.”
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