Pathetic Telkom service

I experienced Telkom's legendary poor service levels today. My account is due to be suspended soon even though they received my payment. Summary: debit order due for Dec comes off on 1 Jan. Amount is higher than normal so I reverse debit order. I then make direct payment for the regular amount.

10 Days later I begin receiving sms notifications about overdue amount [~1500]. Contact centre agent has me holding for ages then finally says that due to their internal processes the entire amount is due. I disagree, indicating I have made a partial payment of 90% of the bill and am only in a position to pay the balance. I inform her that I wish to escalate the matter. Not possible she says - can only be done once the account is ALREADY suspended. Cannot be sorted out proactively. She then promptly ends the call. Wow