South Africa's Spam Call Crisis: A Growing Concern for Mobile Users

Spam calls have become increasingly pervasive in South Africa, leading many mobile users to avoid answering their phones altogether. The Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) has reported a significant rise in the unlawful use of mobile numbers by call centers, which is in clear violation of the Numbering Plan Regulations of 2016. This trend has prompted ISPA to call for urgent action from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to address the issue. Dominic Cull, ISPA’s regulatory advisor, emphasized the need for ICASA to "stamp out the abuse of mobile numbers and to end the high levels of voice call spam being endured by South Africans."

Internet Service Providers Echo Our Cry Against ‘Unknown’ Phone CallsSouth Africans fed up with spam call surgeVox

The impact of spam calls is profound, with many users reporting that between 80% and 90% of calls they receive are spam. A test conducted by BusinessTech corroborated these findings, revealing that a significant portion of calls to their number were unsolicited. The situation has become so dire that some individuals, like veterinary surgeon Dr. Hermien Viljoen, described receiving as many as 16 spam calls in a single day, labeling the experience as "completely insane."

South Africans fed up with spam call surge

Despite the introduction of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) in 2020, which aimed to protect consumers from unsolicited communications, enforcement has been minimal. Recent amendments to POPIA, effective April 2025, include stricter regulations for telemarketing practices and a compulsory e-portal for reporting complaints. However, many consumers continue to feel harassed by spam calls, raising questions about the effectiveness of these measures.

Internet Service Providers Echo Our Cry Against ‘Unknown’ Phone Calls

Vodacom, one of South Africa's major mobile operators, stated that it cannot monitor call content due to the RICA Act, which prohibits unlawful interception of communication. However, the company expressed its willingness to collaborate with authorities to implement lawful measures to combat spam.

South Africans fed up with spam call surge

In response to the growing spam call crisis, technology companies are introducing features to help users manage unwanted calls. For instance, Apple's iOS 26 includes a call screening feature that prompts unknown callers to state their name and reason for calling before the call is connected. This feature aims to give users more control over their incoming calls and reduce the likelihood of answering spam.

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Similar solutions are being developed by other tech companies, including Google and Samsung, which are also implementing AI-powered call screening features. However, experts caution that while these technological advancements may help, they are not a complete solution to the spam call epidemic.

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Consumer sentiment regarding spam calls is overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing frustration over the inability to effectively manage the influx of unsolicited communications. Teresa Murray, a consumer watchdog at the US PIRG Education Fund, noted that skepticism about answering phone calls has become widespread across various demographics, highlighting the societal impact of this issue.

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The spam call crisis in South Africa represents a significant challenge for consumers and regulators alike. As spam calls continue to disrupt communication, the call for collective action from both regulatory bodies and technology companies becomes increasingly urgent. Without effective measures in place, the future of mobile voice calling in South Africa remains uncertain.

South Africans fed up with spam call surge