Poor service and unwillingness to assist

We joined ADT beginning of November 2014 and specifically asked for a month to month contract. We didn't join ADT due to a special offering nor did ADT put in our alarm (then I can understand if they want to tie you up in a contract). We went to them because of their good service. The consultant agreed and told us that we in any event can cancel the contract any time as long as we give the required notice. November 2015 we heard that we had to relocate to Johannesburg and contacted ADT beginning of December 2015 to cancel the contract with effect beginning of January 2016. We were then told that it was a 2 year contract and that we can only cancel end of January 2016 after we paid the penalty fee? We were naturally shocked and no matter how many times we phoned and try to resolve it, we were told that we had to pay the penalty. <br> <br> We are now in a position we are already 15 months into the 24 month contract (it is not like we want to cancel it after a month), we've already paid for January 2016 even though we are no longer living in the property and we have now received the penalty which is the full premium for the remaining 9 months which is absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable.