South Africa Proposes Stricter Penalties for Spam Callers
South Africa's National Consumer Commission proposes criminal prosecution for repeat or serious spam call violations, with offenders facing fines or up to 12 months in prison.
In Brief
- •South Africa's National Consumer Commission proposes criminal prosecution for repeat or serious spam call violations, with offenders facing fines or up to 12 months in prison.
- •The new guidelines require businesses to check their marketing lists against the country's opt-out registry before sending calls, charging R0.12 per name check.
- •South Africans received an average of 25 spam calls monthly in 2019, with Truecaller reporting 17.47 billion spam calls in H1 2026.
- •The proposal aims to shift the burden of managing spam calls from consumers to businesses.
- •Ghana has awarded 5G spectrum and licences to MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana, allowing both companies to build and operate their own 5G networks.
Why It Matters
The proposed stricter penalties for spam callers in South Africa aim to address the growing issue of unsolicited calls, which can disrupt daily life and potentially turn customers into adversaries. By shifting the responsibility to businesses, the government hopes to reduce the burden on consumers and improve the effectiveness of anti-spam measures. In Ghana, the awarding of 5G licences to MTN and Telecel marks a significant step towards expanding 5G infrastructure, which is crucial for the country's digital economy and connectivity.
Key Details
- Maximum Penalty for Spam Callers
- 12 months in prison
- Cost per Name Check
- R0.12 ($0.0072)
- Average Spam Calls Monthly in 2019
- 25
- Spam Calls Reported in H1 2026
- 17.47 billion
- 5G Licences Awarded to
- MTN Ghana and Telecel Ghana
Context & Background
South Africa has had rules against unwanted marketing for years, with fines, but enforcement has been inconsistent. Ghana's initial plan for a shared 5G infrastructure project faced challenges, leading to the current approach of awarding licences to private operators.
Original Reporting & Sources
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