11 Nov 2026

The Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) has directed mobile network operators (MNOs) to suspend SIM card replacements at agents from May 2025 as part of efforts to curb SIM swap fraud.

Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere, said the directive was issued after investigations revealed that scammers were increasingly using SIM swap techniques to gain access to victims’ telephone numbers without their knowledge.

Responding to a parliamentary question on Tuesday, he said the suspension would remain in place until more secure and verifiable identity solutions were deployed to prevent SIM swap fraud.

He said mobile network operators had since introduced more robust SIM replacement systems designed to reduce human error and strengthen consumer protection.

Mr Tshere said BOCRA had also established mechanisms to address suspected fraudulent telephone numbers. Upon receiving reports or detecting suspicious activities through its monitoring systems, the authority reports the identified numbers to the relevant operators for investigation.

The operators are then required to investigate the numbers through their legal and fraud departments and take appropriate action, including suspending implicated subscribers pending further investigations.

He said operators had successfully blocked numbers reported and identified as being associated with fraudulent activities.However, Mr Tshere noted that telecommunications-related scams often involved financial transactions, with perpetrators seeking to unlawfully obtain money through bank accounts and mobile money wallets, which fall under the regulatory oversight of the Bank of Botswana.

He explained that while BOCRA dealt with telecommunications infrastructure, subscriber services and misuse of communication networks, financial investigations and consumer redress required the involvement of the Bank of Botswana and law enforcement agencies.

On the effectiveness of SIM registration, he said the process facilitated the identification of registered subscribers but did not entirely eliminate the risk of telecommunications fraud.

He said perpetrators continued to employ various techniques to conceal their identities, access personal information and circumvent existing safeguards.

Mr Tshere urged members of the public to register their numbers, update their Know Your Customer (KYC) details when legitimately requested through official channels and avoid lending their telephone numbers or mobile money wallets to other people.

He also advised the public against sharing personal identification and banking information with unknown callers, clicking on suspicious links and urged them to promptly report suspected fraudulent activities to their mobile network operators and the Botswana Police Service.

The minister was responding to a question from Shoshong MP, Mr Moneedi Bagaisamang who wanted to know measures in place to address fraudulent calls, why numbers used by scammers were not blocked and whether perpetrators were being prosecuted.Mr Bagaisamang also sought clarification on how scammers obtained citizens’ contact details despite SIM card registration and regular KYC updates, as well as the penalties imposed on those found guilty of such offences. ENDS