From Wednesday, anyone buying a pre-paid SIM card must provide proof of address and identification, according to a new law.

Legislation regulating the tapping of phones and intercepting of emails comes into force this week, The Star newspaper reported on Monday.

It requires anyone buying a pre-paid SIM card to provide proof of address and identification to their service providers from Wednesday onwards.

Current pre-paid SIM card owners will also have to give these details to their service providers otherwise their numbers will be terminated, the report said.

The justice ministry will host a media briefing on Tuesday to inform the public of the new law, said spokesman Tlali Tlali.