Illegal Rica traders face penalties

Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng.

Picture: Motshwari Mofokeng.

Published Jul 7, 2011

Share

Traders caught illegally selling pre-registered SIM cards could face fines of up to R100,000 or be jailed, the government warned on Wednesday.

“The law will take its course and prosecutions will surely ensure,” Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel told reporters at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

He was reacting to reports about the sale of pre-registered subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in several cities. It was believed that selling the SIM cards, for between R20 and R30, started about a year ago.

Deputy Communications Minister Obed Bapela said they would meet with cellphone companies in two weeks to determine the extent of the problem.

“We will have the figures in two weeks time. By then we should also know the magnitude of the problem and what action will be followed.”

He warned the public to refrain from registering people who were not family, as this may backfire later.

“Should something happen, you will be the one arrested. People must jealously guard their IDs (identity documents).”

Nel said it seemed that in some cases people had bought large quantities of SIM cards which they Rica'd in their own names.

“These individuals then sell these SIM cards without complying with section 40(5) of the Rica Act. These persons, in doing so, commit an offence and can and will be prosecuted. They undermine the legislation and jeopardise its aims.”

These cards could be traced back to their original owner. While people could buy cards in bulk, they had to register the new owner's details when they sold them.

Nel said the process of having people register their SIM cards, to comply with the Regulation of Interception of Communication Act (Rica), had been “remarkably smooth”. It was intended to prevent abuse of the country's telecommunications infrastructure.

About 50 million SIM cards had been registered countrywide by the June 30 deadline.

He said the act, like any other legislation, could be undermined by unscrupulous individuals.

“The only remedy to ensure compliance with the law in general is to impose penalties of any contravention thereof.”

People who had their SIM cards deactivated, needed to visit their mobile operator's outlets to have them switched back on. - Sapa

Related Topics: