IPhone not being replaced even though under warranty

About 5 months ago I received an iPhone from Vodacom. About 3 weeks after receiving the phone it started giving me problem (battery). The phone was received in Durban, however I live in JHB. I thus went to an Vodacom in JHB and was told that they cannot assist and that I would need to take the phone to Durban to deal with the issue. Needless to say, I was only able to take the phone in about a month ago due to the fact that I do not live in Durban.

In the mean time, the phone's screen had cracked - Vodacom tech confirmed the screen had cracked due to the bulging of the batter (the phone looked like it had a tennis ball inside). Vodacom sent the phone in and I was told that I would need to pay over R5000 for the phone to be repaired (even though the phone is under warrant!!!). Further, the phone is not even worth R5000. Vodacom stated that the warranty was voided due to the screen cracked. The screen cracked due to the faulty phone. This is all absolutely unacceptable.

I have been back and forth trying to get answers out of Vodacom and talk to someone responsible. I am getting NOWHERE. No one is taking responsibility. My emails are answered with generic, copy and pasted answers ****erally, the font and colour are different - one can see exactly that the employees are copying and pasting generic responses). No one seems willing to assist or even give me guidance. The only answer I keep getting is to pay for the repairs. This is unacceptable!!!! Vodacom is at fault here for giving me a fault phone and should replace same.

To make matters worse, I have been on the phone to Vodacom for hours. Their lines are so terrible that the calls keep getting dropped. The employees do not feel the need to call back or email me back. I am so frustrated!

It has been awful service delivery (actually NO service delivery). No one is willing to take interest or look into this case. No one with a higher rank feels the need to call or email me back. All I get is generic responses. I have never felt so disappointed in a service provider. Utterly disgusting service delivery.

The Phone was faulty FROM THE START and I am getting NO assistance or even compromise in the matter.