Thousands of undocumented refugees in the country (mainly Zimbabweans) will be unable to register their numbers as the new regulation requires that a passport and proof of residential address be produced to complete the process under the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA).
The new law, which came into effect on July 1 this year, has caused panic and anxiety among the immigrant communities. RICA now requires mobile operators, service providers and SIM card retailers to register all customers’ identities, physical address (with proof and confirmation) and a cellular phone numbers on secure databases.
A cross-section of immigrants lamented that they were racing against time to register their SIM cards as non-compliance would result in deactivation of the lines. Existing subscribers have 18 months from the implementation date to register both their prepaid and contract SIM cards. No new SIM cards, which can cost as little as 50 cents, are being activated without first being registered.The new regulation was formulated in a bid to curb crime.
Vodacom South Africa managing director, Shameel Joosub said: “The law aims to help law enforcement agencies to identify the users of cell phone numbers and track criminals using cell phones for illegal activities. Complying with the RICA Act is an immense task for operators, retailers and the public at large.” Zimbabwean Tracy Mangena (45), a cross-border trader, bought a SIM card as soon as she arrived in Johannesburg last week in the hope of calling home but her card could not be activated due to non-registration. “I do not have any travel document as I am used to being smuggled in haulage trucks and I can never have a proof of residence as I stay in a garage during my brief visits,” she said.
Post published in: News