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Johannesburg - Some enterprising traders are charging people to Rica their SIM and data cards which has to be done before midnight on Thursday, The New Age reported on Thursday.
All SIM and data cards not registered by midnight would be disconnected. Subscribers would have 24 hours to re-connect and the number would be deleted after six months if it was still not registered.
Rica registration is free but according to the daily newspaper, enterprising traders were charging cellphone users between R5 to R10 to register them at townships, street corners and train stations.
Thokozani Dlamini, 26, is alleged to be "running" this business from his home in the East Rand and charges R5 for his services.
"I started the business of registering Rica in may 2011. I registered with Smartcall. They sent me an SMS and I followed the options that were given to me to register people for Rica. It's a very easy process," he told the daily.
Some non-compliant subscribers found the "street" service to be helpful.
"I didn't mind paying R10 to Rica my SIM card. I wasn't asked for proof of residence. I just told them my address and they did it. I didn't have a problem because it was convenient for me," said Ian Nkala.
Cellphone companies said it was unfair for subscribers to pay to Rica.
All SIM and data cards not registered by midnight would be disconnected. Subscribers would have 24 hours to re-connect and the number would be deleted after six months if it was still not registered.
Rica registration is free but according to the daily newspaper, enterprising traders were charging cellphone users between R5 to R10 to register them at townships, street corners and train stations.
Thokozani Dlamini, 26, is alleged to be "running" this business from his home in the East Rand and charges R5 for his services.
"I started the business of registering Rica in may 2011. I registered with Smartcall. They sent me an SMS and I followed the options that were given to me to register people for Rica. It's a very easy process," he told the daily.
Some non-compliant subscribers found the "street" service to be helpful.
"I didn't mind paying R10 to Rica my SIM card. I wasn't asked for proof of residence. I just told them my address and they did it. I didn't have a problem because it was convenient for me," said Ian Nkala.
Cellphone companies said it was unfair for subscribers to pay to Rica.
