Law allows for extension of SIM registration for up to 120 days

Steve Bezuidenhout, the former vice chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on information communication technology and innovation, says the law allows for the extension of the registration deadline for up to 120 days beyond the initial cut-off on 31 December.

“The law already makes a provision (for extension) and the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has already indicated that there will be a 120 day extension, so by March 2024 everything must be registered,” Bezuidenhout says.

Bezuidenhout was speaking during a Desert Radio interview, alongside the committee’s current chairperson Modestus Amutse, who reassured the public that the situation is under control and there is no need for panic.

Amutse said a responsible government should not allow its citizens to face service disruptions and advocated for considering the well-being of the people.

“It will be determined by the situation at the end of the deadline, for instance, at the end of the month, the 120 days plus will kick in. Obviously, I don’t believe that a responsible nation like ours will allow certain people to be just abruptly cut off of services,” Amutse said.

Amid worries from both commercial banks and individuals nationwide scrambling to register their numbers to prevent service disruptions, Amutse said the information ministry is actively monitoring the situation on a daily basis and assured that they will communicate appropriately when the time is right.

The information ministry, in collaboration with key stakeholders, plans to hold a press conference on Friday to address concerns around the matter and possibly announce an extension.

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