New rules to close a big SIM card fraud loophole proposed in South Africa

• The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published proposed amendments to South Africa’s Numbering Plan Regulations that require network operators to verify subscribers’ identities in real time for SIM activation, re-activation, and SIM swaps.
• The proposed regulations require network operators to record subscribers' full name and surname, ID number, location, date, and time of verification, as well as passport number and visa information for foreign nationals.
• Stakeholders have 30 working days to submit written representations on the proposed amendments, which are set to close a big SIM card fraud loophole in South Africa.