Useless SABC call centre agents

So here’s the battle I’ve been fighting with th SABC call centre.

Last year I purchased a TV set at Makro. I was a first time TV set buyer and obviously didn’t have a TV licence. I app**** and was granted 1 there and then. Cool life moved on and nothing happened.

March 26 I get an SMS “your Tv license is due for renewal soon”. Hmm ok, knowing that it’s an annual payment, I figure I’ll make it sometime in the year.

Fast forward to July 17th, I get an SMS that my TV licence account has been handed over to MBD attorneys for collections. I wonder how is this possible when SABC didn’t call me to let me know I’m overdue in the 1st place. I call MBD and I’m told my account was due for payment on the 2nd of March and I’ve now incurred 2 months of penalty fees. 1stly, how could it be due on the 2nd when I got a “reminder” SMS on the 26th? Also, when was I advised of my due date? It’s July, why would I only be charged penalties for April and May but not June and July? Clearly I was confused and the consultant couldn’t answer any of these questions.

I then call SABC on ********** and speak to the most rude, irritating, obnoxious and down right pathetic consultant called Mashala. She tells me I was supposed to pay in May but my penalty fees started getting charged in April. I asked how is this possible, nothing she can’t answer me. I then ask, how was I to know that my payment is due on the 2nd May if I was not told at Makro, she says it’s my responsibility as the consumer. Wow! All this time throughout the call that I made myself, this rude girl is talking over me and not giving me the opportunity to speak. I decide to tell her I don’t want to speak to her any longer because I’m not satisfied with her tone and lack of ability to listen, I request for her to transfer me to another agent. She still speaks over me saying the next agent will tell me the same thing so it’s pointless. I then request to speak to thget team leader, she tells me they’ll also tell me the same thing and hangs up on me! Bear in mind I’ve had to hold for about 6-7 minutes to speak to someone. I call again and speak to Katlego who assists me so well and I’m clear that the penalties will be reversed and I’m to pay the actual due amount of R265 only which I do on thmy same day.

23rd July I call again to ask for Katlego who assisted me previously to check if the fees were cleared because MBD is telling my to make arrears for the fees, guess what, they’re still not cleared. The guy I’m speaking, whose also Katlego, says he’ll clear the fees and by Friday, MBD records should be updated.

Cool, I decide to call a week later for an update, which was on 31st July. And lord behold I speak to the same idiot Mashala again. I decide to remain calm and hear her out. She tells me the fees have been cleared and MBD records are incorrect for saying I still owe. I called MBD first before SABC. I then ask, because SABC handed me over, why aren’t they making sure the account is recalled. She tells me she doesn’t know. She’s still screaming and speaking over me because clearly she’s incapable of acknowledging when she’s unaware or can’t assist. I ask to speak to a team leader because again she’s reverted to being rude and unnecessary. She tells me there’s no supervisor on the floor and hangs up again.

At this point, I’m done with SABC. I’m just irritated and feel they’re totally useless.

The irony is that SABC gives the ****piest of services but they don’t even have a complaints division.

Today is the 8th August, a month later and still there’s no supervisor that’s called me. But then again, what more can one expect from the people who are quick to take your money but are useless in fixing their own ****.

For the record, should you call and Mashala answers, goodluck. You gonna waste your breathe speaking to a brick wall that’s super thick