By 
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has called for the mandatory registration of mobile handsets to improve the security of electronic transactions and reduce cyber-crime.
Engineer Hasha Myambo, POTRAZ’s Competition and Standards Manager, emphasized the need for a central handset registration system alongside the existing SIM card database.
“There is a pressing need for effective policies to tackle the various issues that arise in cyberspace,” said Myambo. “The registration of handsets will help address security risks in cyberspace and restore public trust in the ICT sector.”
By Ruvarashe Gora
The new initiative aims to create a Central Equipment Identification Database, allowing authorities to block stolen or lost devices from operating on any network. He also said, “This database will enable us to block stolen or lost devices immediately after a report is filed, which will help reduce mobile-based crimes.”
POTRAZ is collaborating with mobile network operators, including Econet, NetOne, and Telecel, to implement the registration process, requiring users to present valid identification at service centers. “We are working closely with network providers to ensure the registration process is smooth and accessible to all users’’.
Myambo also noted that this approach represents a shift towards a more collaborative regulatory model. “We are engaging with ICT stakeholders to develop national plans that maximize ICT’s impact on economic and social development”.
As mobile devices become central to financial transactions, POTRAZ urges users to comply with the registration requirement to ensure safer communication and contribute to reducing mobile-related crimes.
Myambo said, “The success of this initiative will depend on the cooperation of every mobile user in Zimbabwe”.
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