The Rotten Egg Award goes to MTN

After 25+ years as MTN customer, I now live in a rural village where MTN service is non-existing at certain times - especailly during loadshedding.

I have been trying for a few months now to keep my number and transfer it to Vodacom. Vodacom sends the request, but the PIN from MTN to me never arrives. Only once did the PIN come through among far too many attempts: it was requested early morning - but it arrived after biz hours, and shops were already closed.

I have been to MTN in Tyger Valley, Ceres a few times, Worcester a few times. An MTN supervisor at head office was eventually involved, yet no progress. That supervisor and Vodacom Port techs had conversations. Nada. MTN just seems incapable of sorting out the problem.

At every visit to MTN, they come up with a different story on why I do not receive the PIN. All feeble reasons, such as my phone settings - but strange that once the PIN indeed came through. Quite a few times MTN claimed the problem is on Vodacom side.

Now, after literally spending days (no exaggeration!) at shops and blowing my fuse a few times, the latest excuse of MTN is that I am still under contract with them. Excuse my French, but that is ^%&^%$. Interesting that despite so many visits to different MTN shops this is the first time this excuse is given.

But according to MTN Worcester, they do not see any documentation attached to my account as proof that my contract was indeed extended. And there should not be, because when my contract expired, I visited MTN Ceres and made sure it is not renewed. It seems the lady who helped me (I have her name) unilaterally, despite my explicit instruction, extended my contract without my permission.

I am reallllllllllly fuming.