16 May 2019

A Lusaka man has brought legal action against MTN Zambia and Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) for negligence and allowing mobile money fraudsters to breach his privacy.

Zephrantheniah Mudenda has claimed that a scam message was sent to his device from an unregistered number after fraudsters allegedly listened to his phone conversation.

Mudenda is also seeking an order to force ZICTA to suspend MTN’s operating licence until the company has, among other things, deactivated all unregistered sim cards.

In a statement filed at the Lusaka High Court, Mudenda claimed that on January 28th, 2019, he received a message on his registered mobile number from 0961197368, which directed him to send money to 0973244240, using the name “Webby Siwelwa”. Mudenda subsequently reported the communication to MTN and he was told the number was not registered and so had no name attached to it.

He further claimed that an MTN staff member who identified herself as Emma, then turned rude and refused to connect him with MTN head office.

Fearing for his family’s safety, Mudenda reported the matter to the police and then tried to lodge a complaint with ZICTA, but to no avail.

The case continues.