President Cyril Ramaphosa's Name Among 14 Heads of State Whose Numbers Were 'Leaked'
- A group of 14 heads of state and other high-ranking government officials were reportedly selected as persons of interest by a NSO Group client
- NSO Group is an Israeli spyware company and their spyware was used to gain access to the mobile numbers of various heads of state
- President Cyril Ramaphosa reportedly made the list of those whose numbers have been leaked but it is unclear if their smartphones were hacked
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President Cyril Ramaphosa is among a group of 14 heads of state and government members who were selected as people of interest by clients of NSO Group (an Israeli spyware company). The news was revealed in a press release issued by Amnesty International.
The press release suggested that there were a number of world leaders who might have had their smartphones hacked by the NSO Group's Pegasus Spyware. The release stated that there was new evidence which was uncovered by the Pegasus Project.
Amnesty International's Sheila Mohamed called the revelation 'unprecedented' and stated that it sent a chill down the spines of world leaders.
Source: Getty Images
SABC News reported that Amnesty hinted that they were similar actions that were made against journalists and activists and it is now clear that the highest levels in government cannot get away from the so called 'sinister' spread of the NSO's spyware.
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According to The Guardian, the leaked database contains the cell numbers of the 14 heads of state. The NSO Group reportedly stated that although the numbers were on a list, there is no confirmation that the hack was attempted or successful.
The group continued by explaining that the database has 'no relevance' to the company.
EFF's Julius Malema states he is closer to Cyril Ramaphosa than to Jacob Zuma
In other news about President Ramaphosa, Briefly News reported that leader of the Economic Freedom Fighter Julius Malema says despite the widespread perception, he is closer to President Cyril Ramaphosa than he is to former president Jacob Zuma.
Speaking on air to KhayaFM radio talk show host Sizwe Dlomo on Tuesday, Malema detailed his relationships with Zuma and Ramaphosa. He broke down the dynamics of those relationships while he was the ANC Youth League president.
Malema stated that he had multiple opportunities to have a close relationship with Zuma however, he and now Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula decided against it, reports The Citizen.
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Source: Briefly News
