Well, let me then continue by saying that we have had long deliberations around this Bill and the issues involved. I appeal that we now concentrate on how to implement. We must put emphasis on implementation. I am convinced that solutions can be found. I do agree with the approach adopted by the Justice portfolio committee regarding these matters, namely that the registration of cellphone handsets and the requirement for visitors to the country to provide verified personal particulars to our local service providers before they can roam on our networks are essential. Without these requirements, there would be loopholes in the legislation, which criminals could and would exploit, making the legislation meaningless.
Before concluding, I need to emphasise that the Bill, as adapted by the portfolio committee to date, has not deviated from the principles contained in the Bill as approved by the Cabinet and introduced to Parliament. The original principles have in essence all been retained - most notably the registration and the capturing of vital information such as the cellphone handset number, the MSISDN number of the SIM card and an address of the customer.
The implications of the Bill in relation to roaming have also remained unchanged during the parliamentary process. I was heartened to hear that the provisions of the adapted Bill were not opposed by any of the members of the portfolio committee. That is obviously an indication of a pragmatic approach to ensure that this legislation goes forward. I trust that the attitude will prevail when we vote on the Bill shortly.
The adaptations that have been made by the committee, after hearing the views of stakeholders during the public hearings, are positive changes that I think will enhance the application of these provisions. I refer for instance to the new definitions which, as I have already indicated, are intended to ensure that as many people as possible are able to comply with the registration requirements and are not denied the enormous benefits of cellular services.
Mention should also be made of the fact that the introduced Bill required the residential, business and postal addresses of customers to be registered. After hearing the views of stakeholders, the committee changed the Bill to require only one address and the change indicated willingness. I am sure members of the portfolio committee will talk to this.
I would want to conclude by really thanking the officials in my department who have been working with this Bill since 1992. I am here also referring to the principal Bill. I would like to say thank you to Adv Bassett, in particular, and Adv Roberts. I wish to express my appreciation also to Comrade Fatima Chohan-Khota and her portfolio committee members for their inputs and for their unanimous support of the Bill. It is clear that they have spared no effort in trying to ensure that the final product does not detract from the objectives of the principal Act - with as little disruption as possible to the service providers on the one hand and the users of mobile cellular services on the other. I thank you. [Applause.]