Pensioner bled dry!

I submit this review on behalf of my mother that is 73 years old whom is bul**** by Vodacom since 2019 not to cancelled contracts of her late husband and try to delay the cancellation of contracts that is due to expire.

"My late husband past away in June 2019. He had 2 contracts at the time with Vodacom. I went shortly after his death to a Vodacom franchise which at the time assisted customers with opening and cancellation of contracts. The death certificate was e-mailed to Vodacom. Vodacom's response was that they do not accept a death certificate without a letter from a lawyer. Vodacom advised me for the transfer of the contracts rather to my name since I will be legal liable for the contracts of my late husband. In 2021, I called again for the 2 contracts of my late husband to be cancelled, now in my name. This time Vodacom informed me that they already upgraded the contracts 2 months prior to the expiry date. I explained to them that I did not request for an upgrade and according to the contract I have to give a one month notice before the expiration of the contract. Vodacom reply was that they upgrade 2 month prior to the expiration of a contract, thus how can you give a month's notice but Vodacom upgrade "automaticaly" a month prior to the notice period ?

So meaning if I have it right. You have to give 3 month's notice for Vodacom to cancel the contract on expiry date of which they will not accept, since you can only give notice a moth before expiary but a month before you can give notice they upgrade the contract of which you are not approached by Vodacom if they can do this and if already upgraded you can not cancel the contract. Meaning once you singed a contract with Vodacom, you signed for life!"

This is inbreach of the The Consumer Protection Act, No. 68 of 2008 was signed on 24 April 2009.

The following stipulates clearly. - Consumers have the right to cancel fixed-term agreements upon expiry of the contract period, without penalty or charge. - Consumers are obliged to provide suppliers with 20 business days’ notice, in writing or other recorded means, of cancellation of fixed-term agreements.

Vodacom, why do renew contracts of customers 2 months prior to expiry date of agreements if: - Customers did not request it? - Customers are not informed about the upgrade? - Customers right to CHOOSE if they do want to continue with a contract, especially upgrade?

"I called Vodacom in 29 April 2022 for the cancellation of a contract that expires on 01 July 2022, this to inform them I do not want an upgrade as they did the last time. The customer agent informed me that I cannot cancel the contract since this can only be done 30 days prior to the contract expire otherwise I will pay penalty fees.

I contact them today at 10am 20 May 2022. The customer agent informed me that I need to speak with the customer agent which I called on the 29 April 2022 since she will know about my cancellation. I explained that there must be a notice on my account and that it will be impossible to speak with someone in a customer center I called a month ago! She calmly explained that a Vodacom manger will call me to day to assist with the cancellation. It is 15h51 and no one have called me yet."

Vodacom, it is sad so sad that a giant like you exploit pensioners. Hiding away behind faceless call centres and staff that is obviously trained not to cancel contracts at all costs, so that your stakeholders can have big fat returns on their investments. Obvious Vodacom do not care about the Consumers Act of South Africa and by this the South African Law.