10/03/2026
Dr VDM van Niekerk Inc. & Dr Dean Sirrals Inc.
Section 22 of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 Data Breach Notification:
Please be advised that Dr VDM van Niekerk Inc. and Dr Dean Sirrals Inc. takes the issue of personal information and protection thereof very seriously. Every possible precaution is taken to protect personal data and we actively work to avoid any data protection breaches that could compromise our data security.
Unfortunately, we hereby notify you in accordance with section 22 (1) (a) of the Protection of Personal Information Act, 4 of 2013 (POPI) and all other applicable data protection laws and regulations, that Dr VDM van Niekerk Inc. and Dr Dean Sirrals Inc. has fallen victim to a break in at the sales manager’s premises and that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the personal information of some data subjects have been accessed, deleted, or acquired by an unauthorized external party.
Nature of data breach:
During the hours of 28 February 2026 12:00 and 02 March 2026 06:00 the practices computer console were stollen at the practice at 1187 Cobham Road, Queenswood, Pretoria. The stolen devices contained information including but not limited to emails, patient information and medical aid information. The computer console was password protected and required passwords to gain access to Exact. There is however still the possibility that access to the mentioned information was obtained, however the computer console does require passwords to gain access to the personal information.
There are unlikely any consequences of this information at the hands of the unknown person as the computer console has sufficient password protection in place.
Measures taken to prevent similar data breach:
As part of this data security incident and bearing in mind the type of information or data relating to the incident, we have carried out a full investigation. We are of the opinion that further unauthorized access to the information is highly unlikely and all possible precautions were taken.
To mitigate the risk that such data compromise could pose, we conducted a full risk assessment to further strengthen the appropriate processes and organisational measures in place to prevent unlawful access to information held by us.
In the meantime, our company will continue its investigation into this matter and take all steps available to maintain confidentiality, prevent loss, unauthorised access and damage to information by unauthorised parties.
We take the protection of personal information seriously and want to reaffirm our commitment to the processing of your personal information in accordance with the provisions of the POPI Act.
Please contact our Information Officer and/or Deputy Information Officer should you require any further information pertaining to the breach.
Information Officer
Name: Dr VDM van Niekerk and Dr Dean Sirrals
Contact number: 0123338888
Email Address: [email protected] / [email protected]
