Dear Vodacom: Who in their right mind will consent to a 3 year contract???

So this week when my husband went to find out when he is due for his bi-annual upgrade, great was his surprise to be informed that he only upgrades in 14 months, namely 36 months after he entered into the contract!

When we went to the Vodacom shop, we were given a copy of a contract, which states in small print, right next to each other under description (in brackets) 36 months and then contract period 24 months. Under no circumstances did the sales person discuss the 36 months with my husband! He was at all times under the impression that he signed a 24 month deal as this was clearly stated in the contract period! He knows very well that cell phones rarely outlast even 2 years- why would you ever consider 3 years... Also, clearly the contract period is 24 months!

Also, isn't a 36 month period a very onerous term in a contract? So to my very limited knowledge, he was supposed in terms of the Consumer Protection Act to draw his attention to it and to let him sign right next to the 36 months. When we went to the Vodacom shop they really didn't even try to assist us in solving this very obvious mistake. Perhaps the next step should be the consumer tribunal. So fed up!