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Thandeka Moyo Chronicle Correspondent
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) has directed cellphone network operators to disconnect all unregistered subscribers with immediate effect following an increase in abusive texts being sent across networks.Potraz warned in a statement that those responsible for the abusive texts risked being prosecuted.
The directive saw scores of unregistered NetOne customers being disconnected last week.
Some of the affected subscribers have bemoaned the failure of the cellular company to reconnect them after five days of communication blackout.
NetOne customers have since Tuesday been failing to make or receive phone calls.
Speaking to Chronicle yesterday, one of the customers Mr Mbonisi Muleya said he had not been reconnected though some of his friends were reconnected on Saturday.
In a statement on Friday, Potraz announced that all mobile operators had been directed to disconnect all unregistered subscribers with immediate effect.
“Potraz, together with the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the three mobile operators, Econet Wireless, Telecel Zimbabwe and NetOne, have noted with grave concern an upsurge in the number of offensive and abusive calls and text messages generated from unregistered sim cards across all networks made and/or sent to citizens of Zimbabwe and members of the public.
“Members of the public are hereby advised that according to the Postal and Telecommunications Act Chapter 12:05, such acts are illegal and any person making such calls and/or sending such text messages, shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine or imprisonment for a period of six months or both the fine and the imprisonment,” said Potraz.
Potraz also warned members of the public against buying or selling activated lines because in the event the line being abused, the registered subscriber is held accountable.
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