Concern over criminal use of unregistered SIM cards
Airtime voucher manufacturer Securi-Tech has added its voice to growing concerns about the use of unregistered SIM cards in extortion attempts in SA, says a Business Day report.
Police Minister Senzo Mchunu recently disclosed that unregistered SIM cards were used in 62% of extortion cases investigated by the police.
Securi-Tech said it was concerned about the lack of enforcement of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (Rica).
Securi-Tech noted that ‘there is currently a lack of data on the extent to which unregistered SIM cards are used in other serious crimes such as the planning of kidnapping and murder. This raises further concerns about the broader implications of non-compliance with Rica’.
The company said it would be formally writing to the chair of the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Xola Nqola, to request a thorough examination of Rica’s enforcement and the loopholes allowing SIM cards to remain unregistered.
The organisation is also proposing the introduction of tamper-proof packaging for SIM cards.
Article disclaimer: While we have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this article, it is not intended to provide final legal advice as facts and situations will differ from case to case, and therefore specific legal advice should be sought with a lawyer.
