Malawi's communications industry regulator, the Malawi Communication Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has enforced mandatory SIM card registration to tackle incidents of crime and bullying being perpetuated using mobile phones.

Authorities are using provisions contained in the country's Communication Act of 2016 to secure information from mobile network operators and trace suspects.

MACRA has set 31 March 2018 as the deadline for SIM card registration and said those who fail to register will be cut off until they have completed the process.

Clara Mwafulirwa, communications manager at MACRA said the organisation has received numerous complaints from people who have been victimised (bullied) on the phone and that it was aware of many more victims who have not reported to law enforcement agencies.

"We are doing the SIM card registration exercise now because the new revised communication Act gives us powers to do so unlike the previous one which did not do so," said Mwafulirwa.

The Consumer Association of Malawi (Cama) has welcomed the development.

Cama executive director John Kapito said "SIM card registration is an important tool in governing phone users."