The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) on Wednesday took its awareness campaign to Karonga Boma Trading Centre, sensitising residents on the new SIM card registration rules designed to combat mobile phone scams, identity fraud, and other cyber-enabled crimes.
During the session, Patience Mkombezi, Consumer Affairs Officer at MACRA, explained that previously, one national ID could be used to register an unlimited number of SIM cards—a loophole that criminals exploited to facilitate scams and theft. Under the new regulations, each Malawian will now be limited to five SIM cards per national ID—regardless of the mobile network operator.
Strict penalties for exceeding the limit
Mkombezi stressed that registering more than five SIM cards will attract severe for using an unpermitted SIM card for ten days could result in a K50,000 penalty.
Gombezi urged Karonga residents to verify how many SIM cards are linked to their ID and report any suspicious or unauthorised ones to their mobile network provider immediately.
The Karonga stop is part of MACRA’s nationwide awareness campaign aimed at promoting responsible SIM ownership, enhancing consumer protection, and aligning with international best practices in telecommunications.
Reported -James Kaonga