Free SIM cards a violation of law

It’s high time that the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) launches an investigation pertaining to the free distribution of SIM cards in taxi ranks, train stations and malls by persons purporting to be agents of the network operators.

The strange thing is that the so-called agents have no proof of identification. This is rife in townships and city centres, targeting unsuspecting folks.

What’s more worrying is that these SIM cards are distributed willy-nilly without the prospective subscribers being pre-registered.

The malpractice violates the very law that seeks to counter criminality committed through unregistered SIM cards. It’s safe to say that both Icasa and network operators are sleeping on the job.

They allow SIM cards to be issued without the subscriber’s particulars being validated as required by law. With risks rising in unauthorised debit orders and credit card scams due to criminals having gone digital, network operators need to be fined for the malpractice in unregistered SIM cards.

I had a horrifying experience of someone using my lapsed contract cellphone number as his daytime contact for fraudulent purposes.

It’s a sad indictment of wickedness in society.

At the heart of this is the weakness of the rule of law, abetting criminality to reign with impunity.

Morgan Phaahla, Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni