Telkom poor service

I am disappointed at how quickly Telkom have threatened to hand me over to have me blacklisted for not paying for my non-existent copper line.

When I was at Telkom Direct in May 2024, they apologised for not notifying me regarding the fazing out the copper underground lines due to cable theft.

They suggested I move to a Voip line, although could not move my contract over as they were waiting for instruments for VoIP and would notify me once the stock had arrived.

The e-mail included that I have not yet made a payment, “despite previous reminders.” The previous reminder was on the 23rd July advising that due to non-payment my account *** is in for Collection and the service has been suspended.

It is evident that no one acknowledged that I had reported this. After receiving the e-mail, I went back to Telkom Direct and got a copy of the case no: ***8 that was logged on the 01 June 2024.

I have spent several hours at Telkom Direct in Sea Point complaining about not having a working landline. I last paid my account in March as I have been unable to change to the VoIP service because of the lack of Telkom having devices.

Telkom Direct, walk-in centre have several records on their system that my business has had no landline and told me that despite them being a walk in centre, they were unable to call Telkom Business, but only able to log a complaint and someone would call me back on my cellphone. No one called!!!! This has resulted in my business taking an enormous financial knock as my contact number is on all the neck labels of the garments my company manufactures.

I cannot cancel my "Closer Voice" contract with Telkom and am forced to keep it open while waiting for Telkom to receive the instruments as cancelling the account would mean I lose my current 021 number.

The Telkom walk-in customer service center in Sea Point sadly offers very little follow through customer service. The newly employed sales consultant I spoke to on 01 August advised that there was no manager on duty, so called in his “2IC” as he was referred to.

The 2IC arrived, and after explaining the problem to him, he refused to respond and promptly turned away in the middle of our conversation, walked out through their back door not to be seen again.

The consultant advised again that they do not have a telephone to call their customer center, but had assured me it was logged again and I would be receiving a phone call from them. I have yet to receive a phone. Case number logged again. No:***

The only response I received, was an e-mail from Telkom Collections on 08 August 2024 advising me to make payment arrangements. My question is: What arrears payment am I paying for?

Telkom having no instrument to supply my company is out of my control.

Should Telkom feel the need to expect me to pay for rental of a service that no longer exists, then I am equally entitled to invoice Telkom for loss of income due to the line that is not working as many of my customers have been unable to call me and believe my business no longer exists as I have no landline number.

I should not be made to pay for a rental for a line that is not in service without prior notification. Again, cancelling my contract will result in losing my 021 number. Please can Hellopeter advise the way forward as I would like my account credited back to a zero balance. I have been forced to move my business elsewhere due to no copper lines or VoIP instruments and need my name cleared before I am able to make the change.