Poor Customer Service

<p>My dad has been deceased since March 2017. He had 3 Vodacom contracts on his name. He's been a customer with Vodacom since 1997. </p> <p>Upon his sudden passing away, I needed to close off his contracts since he was billed monthly on his bank account, which also needed to be closed. Further more, my mum is now a widow and has always been a stay at home mum, is in no position to take over his contracts. Ive been trying to get that sorted with Vodacom, but no one was able to help me. Ive pleaded to them to write the contract off as there was only 2 months left to go on the contract. The matter had been dragging for over 3 months. I use to phone the call center. After explaining the situation, I would be advised that i needed to be transferred to another department. More often than not, I was not transferred to the correct department. I figured that it was just the call center agent's way of getting rid of me since they couldnt assist me. Every time i get put through to a new person, I would have to start explaining my situation from the beginning, all over again. It would take hours before I eventually get frustrated and end the call. I would send emails to customer care, and never get any feedback. I would be reffered to a Vodacom shop, wo will then refer me back to call the call center. Eventually, for the sake of keeping my dad's number, which he has had for over 20 years, I decided to pay off the contract, and convert the number to prepaid. They then started to send my mum sms's demanding that the money be paid within 7 days, or else we will lose the number. I didnt want to lose those numbers, as my dad had it for over 20 years and it was special to us. I emailed Vodacom, as well as called them to state that they should put themselves in my mum's shoes before sending her a sms so heartlessly. She had just lost her husband. Now they send sms's demanding money from a widow. Eventually, I paid off the contract, to convert it to prepaid, just so that I can save the number. However, even after me paying, they still claiming that the account is in arrears. It had been handed over to legal status. I even have proof of the payment they require. </p> <p>Once the contract was bought of by me, I tried to take new contracts on my name, for my mum and sister, as they are not in a financial position to take contracts. This was just an act that I wanted to do from my side. I then found out that I cant use those numbers as its already RICA'd on my dad's name and I cant change it to my name and therefore cant take contracts. How is this possible after me paying for the retention of those numbers, only to find out that it is pointless. </p> <p>I cannot get answers from Vodacom. </p> <p>Their customer service is pathetic. My point to them was that when it came to taking out contracts, I would log on to their website, take out a new contract in minutes and have a phone delivered as early as the next day. Why do they complicate things and make processes so difficult when we lose a loved one and arent really in the correct frame of mind to do all the unecessary stuff they require. </p> <p>They delibirately delay the process so that they can keep taking payment from my late dad's bank account. </p> <p> </p>