Telkom at it again

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), 28 January 2007

Telkom is at it again. The suspension of a 75-year-old widow’s landline under very suspicious circumstances leaves one cold to say the least.

Most people, especially when retired, want to enjoy life without having to worry about things that are supposed to be straightforward. For one you want to pick up the phone and talk to your grandchildren without having to move mountains. Telkom however clearly seems to have a totally different take on things as Sheila Paul of Durbanville found out. Not only has Telkom waste her money but also her valuable time.

Let’s explain. Sheila applied for the transfer of her phone to her new address. Telkom’s technicians were suppose to transfer the line on October 30 but ‘had kept neither that appointment nor others in the ensuing months’ (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007). ‘Nobody at Telkom had given any reasons for the non-appearance of technicians in October, November, December and this month’ (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007).

To make things worse Telkom ‘had begun to bill her for a telephone jack that had not yet been installed, and for Surfmore time on a computer she was unable to use without a landline’ (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007). The best part is yet to come…

All Sheila’s efforts to contact Telkom have so far fall on deaf ears. She gave up after she could no longer afford to use her cellphone to reach them, ‘thanks to long waits to be connected to someone willing or able to assist her’ (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007). Well, let’s be honest, chances are better to win the Lotto than to be number one in line when contacting Telkom. While one can understand this, it’s difficult to grasp why no one was willing or able to assist her. "I have spent a fortune on cellphone airtime and am sick of listening to Telkom's music. I am a widow and not in good health. Can't anything be done about this sort of treatment?"

Telkom on the other hand made it clear that they have suspended Sheila’s account because of an outstanding amount. Telkom also added: "Several attempts at reaching the customer through her mobile number were unsuccessful…" (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007). Sheila denied Telkom’s claims: "They have got a cheek to tell me that they haven't given me a line because I haven't paid my bill. What have I got to pay for?" And "If they had transferred the phone they would have been paid. If they check my records they will see that my payments have always been prompt, and that no account has ever been outstanding." Also, "My mobile phone is with me all the time. If there is a missed call, I call back" (‘I won’t pay for a Telkom line I don’t have,’ 23 January 2007).

Who’s lying, Telkom or Sheila?

Well, we at ADSL South Africa won’t lose sleep over choosing Sheila’s side. We know from personal experience that Telkom is not keen to defend the truth. Why in the first place should an old lady like Sheila want to spend her days taking Telkom for a ride?

ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) deplores the way Telkom keep on taking decent South Africans for a ride.