Telkom really came to the party after customer complaint
AFTER Olasesi Martins’ complaint last week, Telkom’s Leigh-Ann Francis got the ball rolling and responded: “It’s most unfortunate that our customer was so greatly inconvenienced before this matter was resolved. We continue to work on getting on top of this!”
Martins wrote to me on Monday: “Thank you so much for your assistance. Telkom did respond. On Saturday, they sent about seven people to fix as “no such record has been produced to support this”; however, having spoken to consumer journalists at other media houses, complaints are indeed rife, not taking into account those sent directly to the NCC.
Consumer law expert Trudie Broekmann has reservations: “While I agree the enquiry into the timeshare industry is important and a matter for the National Consumer Commission, I think the issues are already fairly clear and I the problem; there were two Telkom officials who supervised the work. The damaged pole was fixed and cables laid.
“We, as a family, are just grateful for your prompt assistance.
“We have spent so much making alternative plans to make phone calls and getting internet connectivity for the children for school projects; this is really a relief. In fact, the children call it a miracle.
“You are a star, Georgie! Keep doing what you do. I wonder whether any substantial new information about the malpractices of the industry will come to light during the inquiry.
“I have been contacted by more than 50 clients who have had trouble cancelling their contracts with holiday timeshare providers... It is not necessary for consumers who have contracted with the industry to remain in these onerous contracts – a consumer attorney can, by sending a single letter to the timeshare com- hope the management appreciates what impact you are making in many lives.
“I contacted you because I read your column a few weeks ago and one reader was sharing how you helped her to resolve a problem she had with a service provider.
“That was what prompted me to send you a mail.
“In less than 48 hours, the problem of three months was finally fixed.
“Thank you and God bless you.” panies, cancel the contracts (or demonstrate that they are void).
“The drawback the NCC faces is that it can implement only the CPA, which may not resolve the issue of whether a contract in perpetuity is valid (at least until a court has ruled on this). The common law and the Property Timesharing Act, when used in conjunction with the CPA, provide a solid legal basis for demonstrating that most of the holiday timeshare contracts are void.”