Virgin Active above the law

I took a family membership with Virgin Active Centurion in September 2021. I told the sales agent I don’t want a debit order I will pay eft. I even spoke to head office which gave me the banking details. Paid my first eft on the 30th of September 2021. Now the gym is refusing me access. The club manager said I must sign a debit order or pay for the year in advance. Since when is a consumer forced to sign a debit order in a country were there is so much debit order disputes. I cannot by law be forced to sign a debit order yet VA seems to be above the law. No one wants to assist and I was told that it’s ok to f they lose me and my family as clients as we have to sign a debit order. This is unacceptable and beyond ridiculous.