Chairperson, criminals have such intricate and intelligent methods to commit crime. We only need to observe the horrific statistics of crime in South Africa to realise that we have a duty incumbent upon ourselves to venture all means to securing a safe South Africa.
In view of the cellphone communications of criminals, the MF finds this Bill extremely favourable in tracing crime and assisting the South African Police Service in having a handle on criminals.
With regard to a person needing to inform the service provider when he or she sells his or her Subscriber Information Module - or SIM - a question remains as to the efficiency of this actually being carried out. Also, in view of tourists and the big Fifa games to be hosted in 2010, how will government and the service providers manage this? We do believe that this is a brilliant idea of having a database of users. However, the MF feels that a registry body needs to be put in place that will manage the entire use.
We also feel that clarity needs to be provided as to what communications qualify as electronic communications. The MF will support the Bill.