Africa-Press – Lesotho. Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) has urged Basotho to engage in the nationwide Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) registration campaign for the protection of data beginning from June 24 this year. The campaign follows publication of the Government gazette on the Communications Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Act 2021, which will come into operation on June 24 2022 until June 22 2023 In line with the rapid rate of data security crimes and concerns, cyber security was introduced for protection of data.
The Act aims to promote data protection in the current era when the world has turned to digital platforms for daily operations; people’s work, lives, personal lives and finances have gravitated towards the world of internet, mobile computing and electronic media. LCA Chief Regulatory Officer Thato Ponya highlighted that Basotho are given a period of 12 months to register for their data protection.
“Every Mosotho should register with their National Identity document, those who do not have the document should apply for one. LCA’s mandate is to ensure that the law and regulations are implemented and are put into practise. For authenticity of the registration we urge Basotho to register using their National Identity documents only,” he said. He indicated that users of both Vodacom Lesotho (VCL) and Econet Telecom Lesotho (ETL) networks will have to register their SIM-cards separately. Vodacom Lesotho Managing Director Mohale Ralebitso stated that they have injected M8.1 million for the whole registration process and intend to add more during the process. He said they intend to make a pilot in early June so that the process
goes smoothly. He added that their determination is to register 100% of Basotho, saying to avoid fraud, there will not be any online registration. He also said that every Mosotho will register including a minor who will register
through their parents. “The registration will be in all the 10 districts of Lesotho. The registration is for the benefit of the entire country, therefore we need everyone to cooperate so that the process goes accordingly. One other important thing is that if a foreigner or a tourist comes in the country to spend a week, such a person will
register their SIM-card within seven days,” Ralebitso noted. ETL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dennis Plaatjies mentioned that they as well have begun pilots for the process.
He said if a person has not registered their SIM-card by June 2023, they will not have access to the internet or any other service. He said for a citizen to register, they should have a valid National Identity document. Plaatjies said ETL is on the process of preceding the User Authorization Testing (UAT), which will be used during the registration process.
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