[JoeP]

As usual the SA govt is following the worst leads ... but with legislation that seems to be as potholed as the roads. We already have ISPs being required to hunt down and kill customers alleged to have downloaded copyright material over their fixed-line internet links; now they have a piece of legislation called RICA that means you require ID (photo ID and proof of physical address) to buy any cellphone SIM card, such as a prepaid starter pack. So that they can trace you when you arrange terrorist attacks using said SIM card, apparently. In reality, the music/TV/movie "rights" holders will be the ones using the law.

You can buy these starter packs for 50 cents (about 7c US, 5c Euro, 5p British). But it's as difficult to get one as to open a bank account (for which the legislation is called FICA - as in "Sorry I'm a bit grumpy, I got FICA'd this morning"). Except if you go to one of the supermarket/clothing chains that sell them on behalf of the mobile networks ... where the staff don't really care.

How the law is supposed to apply to the millions without a formal address, or teenagers, I don't know. How it's going to be applied to the masses of tourists we're supposed to get for the soccer world cup I don't know.