RICA FAQ

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rpm

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What is RICA

RICA is the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related and Information Act.

RICA is the new law from the South African Government that requires everyone to register all new and existing cellphone numbers from 1 July 2009. New SIM cards will only be activated on the cellular networks once registered. Existing cellphone numbers that are already active on the cellular networks must be registered within 18 months from the effective date.

Why must you register?

  • RICA is a legal requirement from Government and all customers with cellphone numbers on cellular networks in SA must comply with the law.
  • You can help to make South Africa a safer place, as this law aims to help law enforcement agencies to identify the users of cellphone numbers and track criminals using cellphones for illegal activities.

Which cellphone numbers must be registered?

All new and existing cellphone numbers must be registered:

  • New cellphone numbers; and
  • Existing cellphone numbers that are active on a cellular network in SA must be registered.

Where do you register?

You can register at most stores where you can buy a starter pack. For more information, contact your cellular network’s customer care centre or visit their website.

What information and documentation do you need to take with you to register?

You are required to register the following information:

  • Cellphone number
  • Full names and surname
  • ID number or passport number. You will need to show one of the following documents as proof of identity:
    1. green barcoded ID document;
    2. ID card;
    3. temporary ID certificate; or
    4. passport
  • Physical address. You will need to show any document that includes your name and residential address such as a bank statement, municipal rates, cellphone or retail account, (not older than 3 months), existing lease, rental or credit agreement, insurance policy, current TV or motor vehicle licence.


If you live in an informal residence you must provide the address of a school or church closest to the area in which you live.

Registration must be done in person to confirm your identity.

How much will it cost you to register?

Registering for RICA is free

When must you register?

You must register for RICA from 1 July 2009. From this date onwards, all new cellphone numbers will have to be registered, for activation on a cellular network in South Africa. Customers with existing cellphone numbers that are already active on a South African cellular network will have 18 months from the effective date. Existing cellphone numbers that are not registered at the end of this period will be disconnected from the cellular network until they are registered.

What is going to be done with your information?

All information will be kept confidential in a secure database.
 
So I have 1.5 years as from the 1 July 2009 in which to RICA my cell phone number or it will be disabled.
My information will be kept in a secure database, that will not be accessible to ... erm ... sorry .. not defined.

I think I'll wait for the last possible second before complying, I am pretty damn sure that when I RICA my number that my information will be sold to listing companies for a new and fresh wave of SMS spam.
 
davemc said:
I think I'll wait for the last possible second before complying, I am pretty damn sure that when I RICA my number that my information will be sold to listing companies for a new and fresh wave of SMS spam.
Click to expand...

You just can't win... *sigh*
 
davemc said:
So I have 1.5 years as from the 1 July 2009 in which to RICA my cell phone number
Click to expand...

That's no reason to procrastinate. The Spam database though is. However, let's just assume that really really (and not cellphone co play play) we can do this from tomorrow. I will go round to MTN SP at Clearwater and RICA tomorrow. I got R50 that says I will get more blank and confused looks than anything else. And when the one person who did read the memo overhears the dilemma, the system for doing so will be offline or not working or never implemented. Expect a report back by 13h00, unless something comes up...
 
What about foreigners roaming on SA network?

Edit. If a cellphone bill is a valid proof of address then why don't the networks handle my registration for me? :confused:
 
Last edited:
It says the proof of address has to be in the name of the person registering(ID), but I still live with my parents even though i'm 18.....what the hell must i do :confused:

I'm gonna love it when the day of the deadline comes and millions still haven't registered, then BAM, no sim card. Uproar ftw?
 
bwana said:
What about foreigners roaming on SA network?

Edit. If a cellphone bill is a valid proof of address then why don't the networks handle my registration for me? :confused:
Click to expand...

My guess is contract subscribers won't have to do this since they would have lodged this info already (but I could be wrong).

I wouldn't worry about the spam database, the information can only be accessed by a court order from a judge (be careful where you register though) but I still think it's an invasion of privacy and if you're a crook are you really going to give your real ID and real details? And since you can register at so many convenient locations that makes a large number of people who can conveniently look the other way when you give the wrong information. Absolute waste of time and effort.
 
the information can only be accessed by a court order from a judge
Click to expand...
Or an underpaid IT person, or (for example) clicks could be approached to on-sell the information as they get it.
But, SPAM is not the real problem.

The problem is ... what is the positive outcome of this?
I fail to see one.
 
ok, so now the government will know exactly where each of us are at any time?

Fight crime? Really? How about trying basic good policing first? Will this not shoot cell phone theft through the roof? What criminal is going to give their proof of residence? "Shack 3435 in township X"

I smell Big Brother breathing down my neck...
 
oronte said:
My guess is contract subscribers won't have to do this since they would have lodged this info already (but I could be wrong).

I wouldn't worry about the spam database, the information can only be accessed by a court order from a judge (be careful where you register though) but I still think it's an invasion of privacy and if you're a crook are you really going to give your real ID and real details? And since you can register at so many convenient locations that makes a large number of people who can conveniently look the other way when you give the wrong information. Absolute waste of time and effort.
Click to expand...

from my understanding Prepaid AND Contract will have to register....i also need the issue of living with my parents cleared up? and will u have to register the sim by whose name it is under or who actually uses the sim? i think its off to vodashop this weekend to see how well they have been briefed.
 
This will be useless as far as crime fighting goes. Going to commit a crime? Mug someone of their cell phone first.

The only people they will be able to track are you and I. They will be able to see who was at a particular political rally, who is your_opposition_politician_here meeting with.

They may be supposed to get a court order, but since when does 'supposed to' matter? Any one remember certain Intelligence Service surveillance tapes being handed to a certain accused?

This amounts to the government tagging each of us with a surveillance device
 
If it says something to you, we close and close to "1984".

If that damn "Spidermen" will cut my SIM, I... JUST THROW AWAY MY PHONE. All who I need can be reached by landline. Me also. And even cannot imagine how many R will be lost by CSP with this law.

And what's funny, nobody even mention right to the privacy of life. Well, I'll take care of my privacy! *shows finger to gov.*
 
Went to MTN, lady said I should be fine cos I am a contract. Said that they are requiring ID and proof of residence as of yesterday. Shocked!

And then she said, "Let me just make sure." A few minutes later, system offline and crashing and just not working. Asked me to come back later. This was MTN Clearwater.

Greg
 
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