Pretoria - The deadline for the registration of mobile cellular phones has been extended by six months, Cabinet announced on Thursday.
Government spokesperson Themba Maseko said the move will allow cellular network operators to register as many people as they can and ensure very few, if any, are cut off. This means that the deadline will be 30 June 2011.
Known as the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-Related Information Act (RICA), the law is designed to limit crime committed using cellphones and curb the theft of such devices.
The law requires that anyone who has a SIM card has to register by providing a copy of their Identity Document and proof of residence.
Maseko said mobile operators, who initially had until the end of December to register their clients, would be required to report to government on how they planned to comply with the new deadline.
Mobile operators have been pushing for an extension, with the service providers feeling that the deadline was far too tight.
