Vodacom is misleading clients to make sales!

I contacted customer service in January to move to a SIM-only contract after my contract ended. The call centre agent offered me a “free phone” and I was explicitly assured that it would not affect my contract.

This was false.

The phone sent (a low-end Honor device I never requested or needed) was silently linked to my account, locking me into a device contract for up to two years. This was never disclosed and has not reflected on any of my statements since.

I only discovered this when I tried to upgrade and was told I could not, because of the device they had attached to my contract without my informed consent.

The same practice was app**** to my husband, who was sent a Tecno phone and unknowingly locked into a device contract.

I logged a formal complaint, received a reference number, and was told the call recording would be reviewed. Instead, the case was simply closed with no explanation or resolution.

This appears to be a deliberate sales tactic relying on non-disclosure. Had I been told the truth, I would have refused the phone immediately.

Consumers: if you are offered a “free” phone, assume it is not free unless you have written confirmation stating otherwise