Malawi kicksoff enforcing real-name Simcard registration: All phone users required to register by March 31

Malawi is finally really cracking down on mobile phone real-name registration as  everyone in the country  will be using a real-name registered SIM card in their mobile phone. And Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is saying that everybody needs to register their SIM with their real names before end of March 31 2018.

Mandatory SIM crad registration starts

SIM is an abbreviation for Subscriber Identity Module. A SIM card is a valuable memory card, which stores all the information on phone, like contact numbers.

The mandatory SimCard registration is aimed at preventing the use of mobile phones for criminal activities.

Macra Communications Officer Clara Mwafulirwa said apart from reduction of criminal activity, sim card registration also enables government to monitor and verify the actual tele-density figures and active lines in the industry thus ensuring that tax revenue from mobile service providers correlated with the data presented by mobile operators

She said the development is in accordance with the Communications Act of 2016 which outlines, among other things, the obligations of consumers and service providers concerning the registration of SIM cards.

“In corroborating with all phone companies in Malawi, MACRA is therefore calling upon the general public to go to their respective phone service providers to have their numbers registered by 31st March, 2018.

“Any number that is not registered by this date will automatically be barred from its network until registration is done,” statement from Macra seen by Nyasa Times says.

The statement further calls upon new subscribers to register their sim cards upon acquisition of their numbers with the service provider.

This, the statement adds, could be done with the Phone Company, distributor, agent or dealers of the electronic communications licensee, authorized to provide or sell generic numbers of sim cards.

Analysts still contend that if successfully implemented, the benefits of SIM card registration could go a long way in creating a safer environment.

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Jesus is Lord
6 years ago

Behold, freedom of speech is about to fall away in Malawi. The number registration is only done so they can track you to your phone. So if you say something the government doesn’t like, they can track you and persecute you. And they will use crime – safety – as a reason. Remember what the Bible says about the end times… 1 Thessalonians 5:3 – For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. Remember to look on Youtube for “khhulupirira”! kulalikira moto… Read more »

Mtondoli Jonazi
Mtondoli Jonazi
6 years ago

Ndimakhala ku Joni and SIM Card registration is mandatory. But read the articles in the links provided below, then you will understand my earlier comment which I think some people (names with held) misunderstood and labeled me as ‘backward-thinking’. What I said was to the effect that ‘crime prevention is just a small cog in the wheel’ and since ndimakhala ku Joni komweko, go figure issue ya crime prevention’yo. 1. www dot mg do co dot za/article/2015-11-12-big-brother-is-listening-on-your-phone 2. www dot mybroadband dot co dot za/news/security/194654-south-african-spies-listen-in-on-millions-of-phone-calls-without-permission-report.html 3. www dot mybroadband do co dot za/news/security/146125-how-the-south-african-government-will-spy-on-your-internet-activities.html And by the way – I am… Read more »

nanthuru
6 years ago

Can MACRA, please, explain how this will reduce criminal activities in Malawi, technology is changing everyday, the opposite is true, coz someone can register a sim card using force details and cause havoc

Dzimwale wamkulu
Dzimwale wamkulu
6 years ago

666 closer than we ever thought, terrorism is just a escape goat, LET THE READER UNDERSTAND

wawa
wawa
6 years ago

Waste of time. There are so many apps that criminals can use for calls and texts that send encrypted data. Even WhatsApp sends encrypted data.

ndele
ndele
6 years ago

anorher scam. no personal privacy. muuti muzivera cani? inu nyasi zanu amaziva ndani, mpaka flg pa simcard. koma umbuli wathuwu sinnauone. ena angoganiza zitelo to mark their name.s. musawanyasepo a MW ma implementation a face .osangonena bwanji? kodi ndi kampeeni?i like countries those that stand out and speak. kwathu kuno mungotipsatilitsa manja mphecepece ngati ana a masiye conena kutsakamila ku mmelo.
koma yaaa. REST IN PEACE JOHN NYANGA-IZEKI

Mtondoli Jonazi
Mtondoli Jonazi
6 years ago

MACRA – just be honest with people and tell them the main reason for this. The reduction of criminal activities and/or terrorism is just a very small cog in the wheel. Yes, to some extent. But it would be great to come out in the open and tell people that you want to be able to track and listen in to their conversations (but you won’t). It’s the only sure way to crack down on dissent and different views especially ones that seem to criticize government. We know how it works. Citizens, here is how this works in a simplified… Read more »

Zaya Kunkhongo
Zaya Kunkhongo
6 years ago

AMalawi simuzatukuka ataaaa! So government registers people to listen to them? Really? Panopa l have a relative wawombedwa K2.2ml and the person has just thrown away the cellphone line they were using and got a new number and are on the prowl kuti akawombenso ena anthu. How do you expect law enforcement to apprehend this criminal? Basi kungo funa zinthu zotsalila nthawi zonse bwanji. Go to any Sadc country maybe apart from Malawi, DRC and Mozambique you cant buy a sim card without an ID card. South Africa’s MTN was fined US$1 billion for not enforcing customer sim registration as… Read more »

Mtondoli Jonazi
Mtondoli Jonazi
6 years ago
Reply to  Zaya Kunkhongo

Nothing really backward about my comment.

But if you read my article properly I am sure you will see where I said crime prevention is a small cog in the wheel – not that it doesn’t help. Interestingly, ndimakhala ku Joni where SIM card registration is mandatory.

The issue caused a lot of discomfort in people when it got out as it was meant to be a secret.

Read the following articles: 1. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/security/194654-south-african-spies-listen-in-on-millions-of-phone-calls-without-permission-report.html. 2. https://mg.co.za/article/2015-11-12-big-brother-is-listening-on-your-phone.

They are just few of the many you will find if you will find.

Jesus is Lord
6 years ago

Yes, and also it relates to social media. So for example, to have Facebook it has to be linked to your cell number. So if Facebook ever gets involved with local authorities like it does in Europe, they can trace you and persecute you for anything you say online. Remember, Google, Gmail, Youtube, Android phones, social media sites are ALL linked together. So use a fake name online and try to give MACRA an old address if possible. Or just stay off cancerous social media. Also, there is an SMS program authorities use, like in England if you send an… Read more »

Wa Mafaniso
6 years ago

great move

Takondwa
Takondwa
6 years ago

I welcome the move but can’t the service providers also be accepting electronic registration where by the customer will be uploading all necessary documents through a shared link from the service provider in either a pdf document where they can fill and sign or just signing with a pen and scan both side of the ids in a visible form then send them apart from physical registration? This if adopted will ease pressure on both sides of the customer and the service provider please consider this

Mfumujay
Mfumujay
6 years ago
Reply to  Takondwa

i entirely agree with the suggestion made @Takondwa.

Zaya Kunkhongo
Zaya Kunkhongo
6 years ago
Reply to  Takondwa

Good idea koma matters of security require that one ascertains who they are dealing with. This therefore requires tonse tipite kumeneko and register our lines basi. The criminals may start uploading fake IDs and its not going to work. Besides, this will help us a lot in cleaning our country of illegal foreigners amene adzadzana kuMalawi kuno. These foreigners should produce their work or residents permits for them to be allowed to register otherwise Immigration agwile ntchito yawo.

Dzomba
Dzomba
6 years ago

Yaaa Malawi Adult Members (Whatsapp Group)post pictures that are not permisible in this world. I would like to believe that the gov. will soon pick up the Admin whom I presume is a canibalist.

Thom Chiumia azakupanga rape
Thom Chiumia azakupanga rape
6 years ago
Reply to  Dzomba

Za zii. Ngati simukufuna kuona bwanji osangotuluka mgulumo mxii

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