Local Government and Rural Development Minister Gift Sialubalo has suggested that an insider at Limulunga Town Council may have played a role in the unauthorised transfer of over K2.8 million from the council’s bank account.
The funds were lost after hackers illegally accessed the account and transferred money to 160 different SIM cards. Limulunga Council Secretary Namenda Kaonga confirmed the incident occurred in July and is currently under police investigation. He explained that the stolen K2.8 million came from the council’s sector accounts, which finance programs such as the Cash for Work initiative.
In an interview, Minister Sialubalo warned that anyone found responsible for the theft would face strict legal consequences. He emphasized the importance of accountability in handling public funds and called for thorough investigations to identify all parties involved.
Authorities continue to investigate both the cyber intrusion and possible insider involvement. The council is reviewing security protocols to prevent future breaches and ensure that public funds are protected.
This incident highlights the growing risk of cybercrime in public institutions and the need for stronger internal controls to safeguard government resources.