Cell C refused settlement offer
The banner that cost more than R60 000 hanging outside World Wear shopping centre in Randburg has become the canvas for yet another message about network provider Cell C.
Last week an irate customer put the banner up to call Cell C “the most useless service provider in SA”.
Two days later masking tape had been put on the signage to cover an infringement of Cell C’s trademark rights.
When The Citizen contacted World Wear centre, it was revealed that businessman George Prokas, who is linked to the centre’s senior management, was behind the banner.
“I paid to erect the banner because of my absolute frustration at Cell C just blatantly ignoring the fact that I had an issue I wanted to discuss on a level somewhat more senior than a dysfunctional call centre,” Prokas said in a statement.
He added that Cell C responded with “big bully tactics” by taking him to the South Gauteng High Court yesterday.
He said an effort was made to settle the argument before going to court.
“Ismail Ravat of Y Cell, owner of the Sandton City Cell C Store, phoned last Friday after the banner appeared and asked whether there was a chance of settling and having the banner removed immediately,” said Prokas.
At this point he was ready to settle, but Cell C refused, he said.
Floria Mashaba, a cashier at the Zenex garage opposite the centre and sign, said she had seen two people make further alterations to the sign on Tuesday.
“I saw two people come during the day. At first they changed ‘useless’ to ‘useful’ and then they came back later at night for the other part.”
The other change was “We love Cell C”, spraypainted on the sign in white. – pheladis@citizen.co.za