By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Wits University has confirmed that its Oracle E-Business system has been compromised in a widespread cyberattack affecting multiple countries.
The attack is classified as a “zero-day” event, meaning it exploits a vulnerability unknown to the software provider and without an available patch at the time of the breach.
In a statement, the University says “The Oracle E-Business system has been compromised in multiple countries as a result of a cyberattack.
“The University uses this system for certain functions and thus far operations continues as normal, it said.”
The Chief Information Officer is working with ICT, Oracle and cybersecurity experts to determine which data has been compromised. ICT has already implemented all the latest critical patch updates released by Oracle, added the University.
It further states that the University has notified the Information Regulator and they’re are doing all they can to assess the potential risk. They will issue further updates as more information becomes available.
Meanwhile the Global Threat Intelligence Report for July 2025, revealed that South Africa suffers 2,113 cyberattacks per organisation per week.
While the country wasn’t the most-targeted in Africa in July 2025, it featured in the top four most-targeted countries on the continent.
According to its data for African countries, Nigeria is hardest hit by cyberattacks, with 6,101 attacks per organisation per week, representing a 67% year-on-year increase.
Organisations in Kenya are the next most targeted, with 3,468 weekly attacks per organisation, followed by Angola, with 3,731 attacks per organisation per week.
Cyberattacks on companies in Kenya and Angola have declined year-on-year, by 25% and 34%, respectively.
According to Check Point Research, organisations in South Africa are hit by 2,113 weekly attacks, representing a 14% increase year over year. Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted organisations and government infrastructure in South Africa in recent years.