NEW evidence by the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has linked 79 individuals of different nationalities who were rounded up at a house in New Kasama area recently to subversive activities surrounding the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and other sensitive Government installations.
DEC Public Relations Officer Allan Tamba said this in a statement issued in Lusaka yesterday that specialised digital forensic investigations showed that the clandestine digital laboratory operated by the 79 at Evana Estates in the New Kasama area in Lusaka was aimed at compromising the security, integrity and availability of strategic Government information systems and data linked to the ECZ, among others.
On Sunday, this week, the Zambia Police Service, DEC, Immigration Department, Zambia Cyber Security Agency and other security institutions apprehended the 79 suspects following a tip-off from concerned members of the public regarding suspicious activities at the Evana Estates premises.
Those apprehended comprised 35 Ugandans, 11 Chinese, 10 Zambians, eight Kenyans, six Ghanaians, five Liberians, two Burundians, one Chadian and one Zimbabwean.
During the operation, the joint team seized 73 desktop computers, six laptops, 140 mobile phones, five Starlink kits, two external hard drives, 10 new SIM cards and 75 passports.
The team also seized K21,490, US$10,450 and assorted foreign currencies.
He said the Government systems contained and processed information that was critical to the functioning of the State.
“New evidence has emerged suggesting that the clandestine digital laboratory operated by suspects involved in the matter was aimed at compromising the security, integrity and availability of strategic Government information systems and data linked to the Electoral Commission of Zambia, among others.”
“The said persons had no legal authority to operate a computer laboratory in the Republic of Zambia. The activities conducted by the suspects were done secretively and deceptively in order to undermine national security,” Mr Tamba said.
Mr Tamba said that unlawful access, alteration, destruction, disclosure or disruption of such systems could compromise sensitive information, interrupt public services, expose citizens to identity-related crimes and cause significant financial and reputational losses.
“Cyber-attacks can also affect critical infrastructure, including systems supporting public administration and financial services upon which citizens and the economy depend.”
“In order to counter the emerging threats, advanced security measures for detecting, investigating and prosecuting cybercrimes are needed.”
He said the measures have been instituted as guided by appropriate pieces of legislation which include the Penal Code, The State Security Act and the Cyber Crimes Act, among others.
