Emmanuel Kafe
Check Point Desk
Government is investigating reports of hackers taking over WhatsApp business accounts in Zimbabwe and possible security breaches involving Meta platforms, as authorities seek to establish how the attacks occurred and whether users’ financial information was compromised.
Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said investigations were underway, with her ministry engaging the affected mobile network operator and other relevant parties.
Speaking on national television, Minister Mavetera said the reported incidents required a coordinated response to protect individuals and businesses affected by the account takeovers.
“The scale of the reported attack is unprecedented and requires a coordinated response to protect our citizens and business,” she said.
Minister Mavetera said authorities sought to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported breaches.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police Cyber Crime Division is also involved in the process, while investigators are examining the possible role of short message service (SMS) termination partners, commonly known as aggregators, and the systems used by the platforms.
However, the minister said the investigations were ongoing and that responsibility would be established through evidence.
“This remains a line of inquiry and evidence must establish responsibility,” she said.
Authorities are also examining whether accounts linked to Meta’s advertising services and associated payment arrangements were compromised, raising concerns about possible unauthorised transactions and exposure of financial information.
Minister Mavetera urged businesses and other users to review their account access, linked devices, advertising activity and payment transactions for suspicious activity.
She warned users against sharing passwords, PINs and verification codes, while urging them to independently verify requests for money before making payments.
Those who suspect their accounts have been compromised should contact their banks where financial transactions are involved, follow official account recovery procedures and report suspected criminal activity to the police and relevant mobile network operators.
Minister Mavetera said the affected mobile network operator had indicated that it was putting in place a round-the-clock mechanism to assist concerned customers.
She added that a comprehensive statement from the operator was expected, alongside engagement with Meta.
Government, she said, would continue communicating verified information as investigations progress.
Over the past few days a lot of businesses and individuals lost their WhatsApp accounts to hackers in the country.
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