RICA or the Regulation of Interception of Communication Act is a new law that has been passed by the South African government that makes it compulsory for everyone to register all new and existing cellphone numbers.
RICA affects everyone. It affects Customers on all the cellular networks in South Africa, all existing and prospective MTN Pay As You Go and Contract customers and any person selling MTN Pay As You Go starterpacks and Contract packages.
With RICA in effect, all new SIM cards will only be activated once they have been registered.
All cellphone numbers already in use will have to be registered before 31 December 2010, after which they will be deactivated.