Home Connect- Poor Account Discretion and Treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic

I have had fibre internet connection with Home-Connect since October 2018.

Due to the Corona-Virus outbreak and there being an unprecedented lock-down, i have not been at home since the beginning of the lock-down, meaning I have been unable to use the internet connection provided. With the economy being phased in,i am likely to not be at my home in Johannesburg for at least the next month to use the service.

I hereby asked if it possible to put a stop to my internet connection and usage for May 2020, and then resume this again in June 2020 when I hope to return home. I did pay for the service for April, which i cannot use as the lock-down was extended. I did not ask to cancel my contract with Home -Connect, all that is requested is a deferral of usage for the month of May cause it will be two months that I would have paid for a service that I unfortunately cannot use or have access to due to the circumstances.

Home-Connect was quite abrupt with the matter, and I understanding the T&C's, but these are unprecedented times, and some other service providers are allowing this to be done. Home-Connect states I will have to give them a months notice, and if i decided to reconnect, a connection fee will be charged. I am sure some discretion can be used on their behalf, taking into account the circumstances and me being unable to use the service and not being able to travel back home and return to work.

I am quite disappointed with the way that have dealt with this and will look to change my provider.