Telkom's excessive late payment fees!!!

Good Day

I have a Telkom Business number that was initially linked to my personal contract, after making payments till the end of my personal contract I cancelled it. Telkom proceeded to charge me, thereafter many efforts I eventually was able to separate these two accounts.

Telkom reimbursed all the money I had paid, and they continued to charge me R39 per month for the business contract. So in July I made a mistake an stopped this R39 debit order from Telkom and a few days later I realised that I had cancelled the wrong account. I made an online payment of R79 I think, at the end of the month I received a statement saying that I owe Telkom R444 for missed payment fees.

I went to my bank and reinstated the Telkom debit order, this was in July. At the end of Aug Telkom tried to debit the R444 which my bank rejected. I contacted the bank and asked why because there were funds available, they said that they are going to investigate and I received a reference number.

On the 6 Sept, I contacted Telkom and spoke to Ntandokayenkosi *** explained my mistake and noted that I made an online payment to cover the normal instalment, she said that they can not reverse the late payment fees. I was so irritated I wanted to cancel the contract and asked for the contact person they have listed at my company whom I can speak to to assist, she sent me a list of administrators including the company CEO. I didn't follow up with that as she was now just being unnecessary. I contacted the administrator at work whom explained the fees and and said to rather pay it. Now this was mid month and said I would pay for it closer to month end.

Today I got feedback from the bank noting that I should ask all those debit order companies that rejected on the 25th Aug when there were funds to reinstate the debit order from their side because they were not listed. Pending the investigation to my account. I contacted the two other accounts I had dealings with which they rejected and contacted Telkom.

I spoke to Ntokozo ***, and explained the situation with the bank. She noted that they cannot change the debit order now its already on its way. I asked how about if I make an online payment today? she said that if they will still debit and ill be charged if they reject. I asked if I had an issue with my bank and I am informing you in advance and letting you know that I am willing to make an immediate payment cant they reverse the charges if they see that the account is paid she said no. I asked her to at least have a look my account, because she didn't verify anything nor check my normal installment. I told her that she sounds unwilling to help, she said that she cannot change the process. I asked her what should I do, can I call after the debit order and have it reinstated she said she doesn't know! I asked to speak to her supervisor she said that she is working from home and I asked if she can not escalate this and have the supervisor contact me she said no. I asked if she can transfer me to someone else because her tone and my tone where escalating and I could sense that I would not get assistance. She said I should feel free to drop the call and call again. I asked for her name and reference and rated the call.

I am annoyed with the fact that no body at Telkom is willing to help you when you call about a problem. My bank cannot reinstate a debit order Telkom needs to do it, all the bank promised to do was to reverse their own rejection fees because there are funds on the account. Telkom is now going to continue to charge me penalty fees whether I pay online or not, I can not help that the bank cant accept their payments and has asked them to resend the debit order, even if its not today because I understand its late but the lady said that it cant be done period.

I now owe R660 for a R39 that was paid!!!