On 1 July 2009, the RICA law has been implemented in South Africa. What is RICA you ask? Its the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act). This requires everyone that has an active cell phone number or purchases a new Prepaid Starter Pack to register their SIM cards. All current and new contract, top-up and prepaid customers are required to register their SIM cards.
Subscribers who have activated their cellphone numbers before the 1st of July 2009 have to register their personal details against that cellphone number / SIM card in order to comply with this act. Subscribers have 18 months to comply with this act. New starter pack customers will be required to register a new SIM card and provide their personal details. New cellphone numbers / SIM cards will only be activated on the cellphone network once the SIM card has been registered. When registering a SIM card persons are required to have their cellphone number, full names and surname ID number or passport number handy. The South African Green bar-coded ID document or Temporary ID certificate or Passport will be sufficient to confirm proof of identity. A document that includes the SIM card holder’s name and residential address (eg. bank statement, municipal rates, cellphone or retail account, existing lease, rental or credit agreement, insurance policy, current TV or motor vehicle license) will be required to confirm proof of residence. Informal settlement residents will be required to provide an official letter and / or an affidavit from a school, church or retail store where they receive their mail. RICA compliance is required if you own a SIM card, if you are paying a cellphone contract for yourself, if a family member’s cellphone bill is in your name, if you are a parent or guardian of minors using SIM cards, if you are transferring a SIM card from another individual’s name into your name (required for contract and prepaid subscribers) and if you port your cellphone number to another network. There is no registration fee, it’s free.
Before you start screaming “Big Brother”, hold on and think about this for a second. Yes, it’s not nice to know that some cell phone company has your personal details on file just because you own a cell phone or a SIM card. Yes, it does truly sounds like Big Brother is watching. But, we live in South Africa, not in a first world country with a low crime rate. We do have problems with crime in this country and criminals were abusing the system in order to have a free-reign in South Africa. This might change if everyone is RICA compliant. The way persons sell 2nd hand phones via classifieds publications could probably change significantly as well.
Under the old law criminals could purchase as many SIM cards as they liked without being required to provide an address. The South African Police Service were not always keen to investigate a case further if a prepaid cell number was involved since no address was kept on file. That might change in the near future. The whole idea of making it harder for criminals to operate in South Africa sounds like a good one to me. But like with most good ideas in South Africa, the question remains whether this will be properly enforced or not. A few years ago fines were introduced in South Africa for persons talking on their cellphones whilst driving and I still see plenty motorists using their cell phones whilst zipping through traffic. Only time will tell if RICA is going to be a detergent for crime.
Related Links:
Mobile industry is ready for implementation of RICA – Vodacom
Comply with the new law (RICA) and register your cellphone number today – Hands-on Technical Tips
Cell Phone SIM Cards and RICA – Bidorbuy.co.za
How would i go about finding someone i suspect using a cellphone number in a con. Taking money from somebody under false pretenses.
Serena: You could probably report this to the SAPS Commercial Branch for investigation. You could also report the number to the Network it belongs as well.
Is i strictly compulsory for one to bring the RICA documents when buying a phone for somebody as a present? i.e. I recently wanted to buy my dad a new from one shop in Nelspruit and they flatlty refused to sell me that phone because I did not bring the documents with me. I stated clearly to them that I was buying the phone fr my dad and he is the one who must register it himself?
What does the law says? What must I do about this shop? Please help the nation.
My Contact number
Cell:0839905948
Sipho: As far as I know you should have the documentation with you. I recently had to get a new SIM card temporarily until I could do a SIM swop to my old number. Even though the SIM card was only 49c I had to have my ID and proof of residence with me. I’m not sure what the law says about buying a phone for someone as a present.
Its deterrent, not detergent.
Just exactly HOW does RICA help prevent crime?
How many cell phones are stolen in South Africa every year?
If u are a criminal would u use ur phone or use one of these stolen phones?
Who then will the police harass? Not the criminal thats for sure – we know from Zimbabwe!!!!
We were innocent voters who’s vote is a secret! Yeah! Right!
The police will harass You! The innocent guy who handed over your ID and address “because it will help prevent crime” —NOT! Wake up South Africa!
This RICA law is adding to the police state so they can waste your taxes listening into your conversations.
In addition my mail box will be full of junk mail. U don’t think the cell phone companies are not going to capitalise on you supplying ur address, male/female and age? They send enough junk SMS without my details.
Where is this information kept – google for BOTNET BUTTERFLY OR MARIPOSA and see where MOST of the infections resided. Do u think the big 3 cell co’s don’t get these worms?
It’s unbelievable u and others here on this forumn think this is good! This needs to be killed here and now.
Mad Bob: Thank you for your comment.
what about all the vistors for the world cup? nobody overseas knows anything about this law.
@Mad Bob is right. This is bad news.
This is not going to stop criminals’. They can easily get around this by supplying false details that can be registered by a friend working at any place selling sim cards.
You’re right @Running Wolf, we don’t live in a first world country, South Africa is plagued with criminal activity and that’s exactly why Rica will not work in South Africa.
There have been hundreds of cases involving corruption at all levels in the police, government and public sector in recent years. Now we are providing the police with more power, more power that they can abuse.
This is just going to be a money machine for corrupt police official.
Do you trust the police and government officials in South Africa? I don’t!
RICA – conceived by idiots, implemented by idiots and operated by idiots.
http://handshake.co.za/2010/rica-act/
Mike: Thank you for your comments and feedback
Don’t think this is big brother at all – contract subscribers detail’s are already in their service providers database, why not the same for prepaid SIM card users?
We’re a long way behind most of the rest of the world when it comes to anti-fraud and crime prevention measures.
Daniel: Thank you for the comment
my contract phone was stolen, is it possible to trace my phone?????
Bianca: I’m not sure about that. Check with the technical division of the SAPS or with your network provider. As far as I know the handset can be tracked if it’s switched on.
Why can’t we register online
Pule: That’s a good question. I’m wondering that myself.
Who regulates RICA?
Vina: The Cellphone industry in South Africa as per order by the South African government (as far as I know)
But who do we phone? We are launching a new product and it has a global sim card. We need to clarify some urgent issues with RICA. Any idea?
Vina: Try enquiring via one of the cell phone networks in SA (MTN, Vodacom, Cell C or Virigin Mobile). They might be able to refer you to the correct person. Unfortunately I don’t have contact details for what you are looking for.
You could also try contacting ICASA about this.
Off the topic: Why are MTN and Vodacom’s rates so high in comparison to Cell C? Recently Vodacom’s network is weakening, so hooray for Cell C. Will be changing from Vodacom to Cell C and by the way i’m a RICA agent.
Fabco: As far as I know Cell C makes use of Vodacom’s network and they don’t have proper 3G or HSDPA.
A desperate as I am, I think you might help me. My sister has corned by a lady who claim to be my friend. So she asked for my number and made a missed call with her cell c number, then ran away with my sister’s bag with her valuables including cash. A case has openned but they seem to be very slow and not helping , is it posible for me to call rica with the case number + constable name to refer to and the thief number? Please please help.
Boo Booo: You should take this matter up with the SAPS or find out more about RICA from your service provider.
Hi.
I might be asking a question thats already asked, if this is so please refer me to the answer.
My question is: “How does RICA fight or prevent crime?”
i took in a maid with the cellphone number ### ####### with the name Matebatso. She worked 5 months for me stole a lot of things and left. She stays in Khutsong Carletonville. How can I get full details of her to open a theft case against her?? Her birthdate is said to be the 21st of September.
Maritia: Maybe check with Vodacom / MTN / her cell network, unfortunately I do not know.
Surely the exact same argument you’re using against those proposing that this is too Orwellian could be used to justify putting cameras in our houses. I could see that being even more effective as a crime-stopper. It seems to me that this is a clear invasion of privacy, and is far too open to abuse.
I am a rica urgent. How do I get the rica registration machine?
Ndivhuho: Please check with your Mobile Operator.
This law should have been implemented long ago. It makes it super easy for law enforcers to trace and find the criminal behind a cellphone number. Also, if you lose your phone through theft and/or otherwise, the perpetrator would be stupid to use a registered simcard. Think about this, all landline numbers are registered and all have names behind and/or against them. Thanks.
@ Thando: Do YOU trust government with all your data, including who you phoned and when, what websites you viewed, as well as your location? Would you allow the Shaiks (the spooks / NIA) to go sniffing in your personal affairs? Not me. This act is an invasion of privacy and permanently undermines your rights under the constitution, which, in turn, fundametally undermines our democracy. RICA is a law promulgated by fascist states, not a democracy. If the Nats had DARED enact a law like this everyone would’ve shat themselves…this is a electronic state of emergency, no less. The prupose of this act is not to catch crooks, it’s to spy on law-abiding citizens…
Besides being idotic like most of the ANC policies, it’s also unconstitutional like many ANC policies. I will not register! I don’t care if they cut me, it will save me lots of cash each month and I will have a much more relaxed life with people having to contact me on my home phone. Anybody who registers is as stupid as the ANC government.
how do i get hold of rica coz there 1 ass that keeps on miscalling me and wen i phone him/her dont speak… please email me the contact number thanx… belim619@gmail.com
Mohammed: Contact your service provider. I’m sure that they’ll be able to assist.