Vodacom Repair Caused Hardware Failure on S22 Ultra – No Access to Human Support, Repeated Failed Repairs

I am lodging this complaint after exhausting all reasonable channels with Vodacom and being left with no access to a human consultant, only bots and automated systems.

Device & Repair History: Device: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Repair Centre: Vodacom Repair Centre – Vanderbijlpark

The device was originally booked in for a screen and battery replacement only. Despite a cracked screen, the phone was fully functional prior to repair, including full usability via the S Pen, with no power, charging, or stability issues.

Repair Job Numbers Job No: ***1 (Booked in twice under this job as a re-repair) Job No: ***5

What went wrong: After the initial screen and battery replacement, the phone failed within three days, freezing, entering a boot loop, and eventually not powering on.

When returned, a technician stated (in my presence) that the phone could only be powered on by pressing on solder points / bending contact pins, which already indicated a serious hardware issue.

On collection, the device again failed immediately after SIM insertion and normal app loading.

The phone was booked in a third time, with Vodacom indicating work was done near the SIM tray area, which did not align with the actual fault.

Upon final collection, the phone powered on briefly — but as soon as it was placed on a wireless charger, it powered off completely and failed again.

This clearly points to a hardware or mainboard-related failure introduced during the repair, particularly under power draw or thermal load.

Current unacceptable situation: Vodacom has indicated that if I return the device again, they will only wipe and reload software, despite the fault being clearly hardware-related. I am 60km away from the store and cannot continue returning a device that fails repeatedly after “repairs”.

Vodacom no longer allows email communication, only chatbot-based systems. The helpline cannot connect me to a consultant. I am effectively blocked from resolving a serious repair dispute.

Why this matters Under the Consumer Protection Act, repairs must be performed with reasonable care and skill, and goods must be returned in proper working condition. This device was functional before the repair and is now unreliable and unsafe to use.

Offering a refund of only the screen and battery while leaving me without a working phone is not acceptable, as the phone itself was operational before the repair.

What I am requesting I am seeking one of the following: A full replacement device, or A proper mainboard-level repair or replacement at Vodacom’s cost, or A fair refund equivalent to a fully working Samsung S22 Ultra, not just the screen and battery cost.

At this point, my main concern is Vodacom’s lack of accessible human support and accountability, combined with repeated failed repairs.

I am hoping Vodacom management engages meaningfully to resolve this matter.