No accountability: Vodacom and MBD refuse to resolve my billing dispute

For your own piece of mind and sanity, please avoid being in any contractual obligation with Vodacom.

Vodacom’s poor service and lack of accountability has left me being unfairly handed over to a debt collector. I cancelled my contract in March 2025 and paid everything I was told I owed at the time. I was never informed of any early termination fee during the cancellation process ( which also took time and I had to pay a lot of money).

Now, in March 2026, I am suddenly contacted by a debt collection company claiming I owe R500. This is the first time I am hearing about this charge.

What makes this worse is the runaround I have received: • When I contacted Vodacom, their consultants told me they cannot assist because the account has already been handed over, and I must deal with the debt collector. • When I contacted MBD Credit Solutions, they initially could not even explain how the amount was calculated. • On a follow-up call, another consultant said it was an early cancellation fee. • When I tried to dispute it with MBD, they told me to go back to Vodacom. • When I went back to Vodacom, they again told me to go to the debt collector.

This back-and-forth with no accountability is extremely frustrating.

I even reached out via Vodacom’s social media, where they “attempted” to assist. A consultant called me, listened to my complaint, and then simply said: “There is nothing we can do, you must speak to the debt collector.”

When I explained that the debt collector told me to dispute it with Vodacom, the consultant again repeated: “We can’t do anything,” and offered no resolution or way forward.

So currently: • Vodacom says go to the debt collector • The debt collector says go to Vodacom • No one takes responsibility

On top of that, this charge only appeared a year later with no proper communication, and I was already under the impression that my account was fully settled.

This is unacceptable service, poor communication, and unfair treatment of a customer.

I have escalated this matter to the Ombudsman, but I expect Vodacom to: • Take responsibility for this issue • Waive or resolve this unfair charge • Stop the collections process • Ensure my credit record is not negatively affected I expect urgent and proper resolution instead of being passed around with no accountability.