As the clock struck midnight on Sunday, the deadline for SIM card registration officially lapsed, leaving thousands suspended. 

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) says the registration process will continue until June, after which unregistered numbers will be made available for purchase by others.

Mobile homes had issued reminders and warnings repeatedly leading up to the cutoff date, urging citizens to comply with the registration requirement or risk having their SIM cards deactivated.