Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements listed by the Nightspire ransomware group

Overview

The Nightspire ransomware group has listed the Eastern Cape Department of Human Settlements, a provincial government department in South Africa, on its leak site. The listing appeared on 9 November 2025.

What was published

The group has listed the department as a victim but has not published detailed data descriptions at this stage. Housing departments hold beneficiary records, administrative data and employee information, which are the likely contents of any exfiltration.

Risks for affected individuals

• Housing beneficiaries' personal data may be exposed.
• Administrative records could enable fraud.
• Employees' information may be included.

What remains unknown

• Whether data has been exfiltrated.
• The volume of records involved.
• The response status of the department.

What affected people should do

The department should coordinate with provincial cybersecurity authorities, review affected systems, and inform staff and beneficiaries if data is involved. Beneficiaries should be alert to phishing referencing the department.