Cape Town - Less than a week after the Regulation of Interception of Communications Act (Rica) deadline, traders are already selling illegal, pre-registered SIM cards in Cape Town.
Some traders in the city are selling starter packs, which contain a form on the back, on which the details of the SIM card buyer are to be filled in.
"Someone from MTN comes to pick up the forms... every two to three days," said Ali Arshad, a cellphone dealer in Cape Town who admits that only his MTN SIM cards have been pre-registered.
"If the form is not filled in correctly, then that pre-registered SIM card will only work for a week," said Arshad, who claims that he asks the buyers for the proper documentation each time.
Many traders say they do not ask buyers for an identity document and a valid proof of address, which are required for Rica registration.
If they do ask for it, some say they only ask for the ID or passport, and that they do not request to see the person's proof of residential address.
On Tuesday, the TimesLive reported on cases in which supposedly fraudulent SIM cards are being sold around Pretoria by traders for as little as R20.
Kensani Sthole, a customer service representative from MTN, was able to confirm that the form in question does not comply with current MTN Rica procedure.
"The procedure is that when you buy your SIM card from a store, or a vendor, they will register it with Rica before handing it over to you.
"These pieces of paper are not part of the procedure and are therefore not valid as part of the Rica registration process," she said.
According to Saps spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, no complaints have been lodged concerning the sale of pre-registered SIM cards or falsified registration forms as yet.
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