You hear about RICA in advertisements everywhere.  Yet, there are still many people who have not RICA’d their SIM cards yet and the deadline is approaching at an alarming speed…

RICA … a South African regulation aimed to legalise the use of cell phones

RICA, the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act, is a law that was passed by the South African Parliament in 2002. It is recognised primarily as a law that was introduced to track criminals and prevent them from using cell phones to further illegal ends.

By registering your SIM card(s), you are joining forces with people who are legitimately able to use this technology. When cell phones are not registered, anybody can use them to do anything. This  opens up enormous possibilities for criminals, from simply contacting people to organising criminal activities.

Who needs to register with RICA

RICA requires all cell phone/modem users to register their SIM cards whether they have a contract or use a prepaid service. This means that anybody who owns and uses a cell phone/modem in South Africa needs to be registered.

Here is a more specific list of who needs to register with RICA that is based on information drawn up by Vodacom:

• Anyone who owns a SIM card (for talking or for data usage).
• If you are paying for a cell phone contract of any kind (this should be obvious).
• If there is a family member who has a cell phone in your name (clearly you are the responsible party, even though your son, daughter or grandmother uses the phone).
• The same applies to minors – that’s why the contract is in your name.
• If you have transferred someone else’s SIM card into your name (and it doesn’t matter whether it is a contract or whether it is prepaid).
• When you port your cell phone number to another network – in other words, switch to MTN or Cell C – you still need to register.
• When you upgrade your cell phone contract, regardless of which company you are with.
• When you perform a SIM swap.

If you don’t register with RICA, you are going to find that you won’t be able to use your cell phone or 3G SIM pretty soon…

What you need to be able to register with RICA

To be able to register with RICA, you need to produce a green, bar-coded identity document and you also have to be able to verify your address. To do this you will need a current lease agreement, or a utility bill, a Court order, traffic fine, or some other non-bank credit agreement like a current account from a clothing store or pharmacy. The document you bring along to verify your address should be no older than three months.

Where can you go to get RICA’d?

Any Network operator store or retail store that sells cell phones or starter packs will be able to assist you.

Deadlines for RICA registration

Customers who were activated on the Vodacom network before the end of July, 2010 must register their SIM cards by 31 December 2010 (NOTE:  RICA deadline was extended to 30 June 2011) to avoid being disconnected.

So if you still think, “RICA SCHMICA”, you will be disconnected first thing in the New Year (NOTE:  RICA deadline was extended to 30 June 2011)…