Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698058314214.pdf (Lesotho)
REPORT ON THE COMMUNICATIONS (SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE REGISTRATION) REGULATIONS, 2021 PRESENTED BY THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE PRIME MINISTER’S MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS, GOVERNANCE, FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INFORMATION CLUSTER National Assembly P. O.

Box 190 Maseru 100 Phone: +266 22323035 Fax: + 266 22310434 0 1.
INTRODUCTION The Communications (Subscriber Identity Module Registration) Regulations, 2021 were tabled by the Honourable Minister of Communications, Science and Technology before the House on Friday, 14th January, 2022.

Pursuant to Standing Order No.

100(3), the Subordinate Laws were referred to the Portfolio Committee on the Prime Minister’s Ministries and Departments, Governance, Foreign Relations and Information Cluster for consideration.
The Ministry of Communications was subsequently invited to provide the Committee with necessary information pertaining to the policy context, financial implications, contents and effects of the Regulations as per Standing Order No.

101(2).

The Committee also invited views from the following stakeholders: • Vodacom Lesotho; and • Econet Telecom Lesotho The Report presents a summary of the Committee’s deliberations on the Regulations and its recommendations for consideration by the House.

2.
MINISTERIAL BRIEFING ON THE SUBORDINATE LAWS The Ministry of Communications stated that The Communications (Subscriber Identity Module Registration) Regulations, 2021 intend to: • Enable easy identification of a user of a mobile number and assist in minimizing criminal activities perpetrated with the use of mobile devices and SIM cards by anonymous users; 1 • Reaffirm protection of personal data in line with the Constitution of Lesotho, Data Protection Legislation and Consumer Protection Policy, • Impose legal obligations on licensees to register the subscribers; • Stimulate the requirements for registrations of different categories of subscribers; • Promote consumer protection by minimizing criminal activities perpetrated with the use of SIM card; contribute towards improvement of national security, international cooperation in the fight against offences committed using SIM card; and • To repeal and replace The Communications (Subscriber Identity Module and Mobile Device Registration) Regulations, 2021.
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OBSERVATIONS AND CONCERNS Following a comprehensive ministerial briefing and stakeholders views the Committee observed the following: • Stakeholder’s inputs are included in the Subordinate Law; • Vulnerable population, informal traders and people with disabilities have been carefully primed.

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RESOLUTIONS Based on the above observations and concerns, the Committee resolved to allow the Communications (Subscriber Identity Module Registration) Regulations, 2021.

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CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION The Committee wishes to submit this report and its recommendations for adoption by the House.

3 LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON THE PRIME MINISTER’S MINISTRIES AND DEPARTMENTS 1.

Hon.

L. Hlalele (Chairperson) 2.

Hon.

M. Phafoli 3.

Hon.

T. Monyooe 4.

Hon.

T. Kibane 5.

Hon.

M. Fako 6.

Hon.

M. Mosito 7.

Hon.

T. Litjobo 8.

Hon.

M. Ntlama 9.

Hon.

K. Moroeng 10.

Hon.

S. Peea 11.

Hon.

T. Sekata 12.

Hon.

M. Malefane 13.

Hon.

L. Tau 14.


Hon.

M. Hlao 15.

Hon.

S. Ntsekele 16.

Hon.

T. Ramarou 17.

Hon.

N. Mafa 18.

Hon.

T. Mapesela 4 5