Spam callers face R1 million penalty as South Africa launches new registry - IOL
South Africa’s consumer watchdog is preparing to launch an opt-out registry allowing consumers to block unwanted direct marketing calls, as authorities move to strengthen protections against spam.
South Africans could soon have a new weapon against unwanted marketing calls, with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) preparing to launch a national opt-out registry for direct marketers.
NCC spokesperson Phetho Ntaba recently revealed in an interview with 702 that the consumer watchdog has established the registry and is preparing to launch it, with the date expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The registry will allow consumers to opt out of direct marketing from individual companies or from the industry as a whole, giving South Africans greater control over the calls and other marketing communications they receive.
The NCC’s registry is separate from the existing Do Not Contact list run by the Direct Marketing Association of Southern Africa (DMASA), an industry opt-out service covering DMASA members.
The NCC has not said whether its registry will replace the DMASA system or how the two could potentially work together. The key difference is that the NCC registry is backed by the Consumer Protection Act and will be administered by the government watchdog
The move comes as South Africans continue to face a high volume of unwanted calls, with sales and marketing calls making up a significant portion of the country’s spam-call problem.
IOL previously reported that South African phone users were targeted by 17.47 billion spam calls between January and June 2026, according to caller identification and spam protection platform Truecaller.
The figure represents a 25.2% increase from the 13.96 billion spam calls recorded during the same period in 2025. Truecaller said the increase reflects both the growing volume and variety of attempts targeting South African consumers, as criminals increasingly use sophisticated tactics to deceive victims.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau gazetted amendments to the Consumer Protection Act regulations on 15 April 2026, formally establishing the Opt Out Registry and giving the NCC responsibility for administering the system.
The amended regulations require all direct marketers to register with the NCC and to update their marketing lists to remove consumers who have opted out before contacting them.
Consumers will be able to use the registry to block direct marketing from a specific company or from the direct-marketing industry as a whole.
"Section 11(3) of the CPA, read with Regulation 4 and the amended Regulations, obligates direct marketers in South Africa to update their direct marketing lists to remove consumers who opt out, before marketing goods or services. Through the Opt Out Registry system, consumers will be able to block unwanted direct marketing communication from either an individual direct marketer or the entire industry."
The NCC said registration for both consumers and direct marketers was due to start in July 2026, with the commission expected to provide details on the registration process before it begins.
Direct marketers that fail to comply with the regulations could face an administrative penalty of up to R1 million or 10% of their annual turnover, whichever is greater.
“For too long, consumers have been exposed to intrusive and unwanted direct marketing communication. The Regulations provide for a robust mechanism to stem unwanted calls to ensure that consumers are protected.”
