Review Time
The worst LTE service EVER from telkom! We're still not sure what happened at the end of December and Capitec cant answer that also, but the debit order for R834 from telkom didnt go through, even though there were R2878 available in the specific account at the time. Then during January our service was cut off due to non payment, which we didnt even know about, but I can also understand.
The problem came in when we called on 26 January 2026 to try and resolve the issue. We were told that because the debit order didnt go off, we were handed over to telkoms internal debt collectors, debi-check, or something like that, We have been loyal customers of telkom for 5+ years, and all of a sudden we were left feeling almost like criminals after missing only one debit order, and that because of a bank glitch. (Capitec bank statement available as proof that there was R2878 in the account at the time)
We then wanted to make the payment via EFT so that our service could be restored, but the operator told us not to because they already loaded the next debit order double, including a R202 penalty fee, and that our service would be restored on Saturday 31 January 2026.
On Monday 2 February we called again because our service hadn't been restored the Saturday and we wanted to find out why. We then found out that because the double debit order wasnt loaded by telkom themselves, but by debi-check, they would have to wait for payment from them and that this could take up to 14 working days. Also the amount that they loaded were R1251 and not double, so there were still R418+ outstanding, plus the R202 penalty. We then tried to reason with them and told them that we couldnt be without internet for so long but they just kept on insisting that there was nothing that they could do and that we would just have to wait.
After getting nowhere, getting frustrated and angry because of the lack of understanding and incompetence, we decided to cancel everything we had with telkom then and there. We asked what the final amount was that we had to pay and they told us that it was R620 and that after receiving this payment everything would be cancelled. I also remember specifically asking if that was that or if they were going to deduct another debit order again at the end of February and they said no, if we made the payment of R620 everything would be cancelled and that there would be no further charges. We immediately made the payment and received the "Cancellation Order" with ref no. 2751328974A.
Yesterday morning, 26 February 2026, the debit order for R834 went off again and I immediately contacted them to find out why this was happening. They told me, because the account was under suspension at the time of cancellation, and they received our payment from debi-check (their internal debt collectors) only on 11 February 2026, that was the reason why another month was added. Very important to note that we have been without service still since January 2026 and didnt get any further service from them since then.
Obviously we freaked out over this but decided to let it go and to just put this whole nightmare behind us.
But like all the other times we called, the operator that we spoke to sounded incompetent and very unsure of himself and the situation. So today, 27 February 2026, I called them AGAIN and to CONFIRM, because I want to be 100% sure and be rid of telkom forever, but there was yet another surprise waiting. So today I learned that we will be charged once again at the end of March 2026. According to them, because we cancelled on 2 February 2026, this means that our final invoice will only be in the following calendar month!
How is this justice?? We didnt just get up one morning and decided to cancel, we cancelled the service because there was no service! When we tried to resolve the situation and explain what happened, we were met with incompetence and just left stuck with nothing to be done to the situation. Both my wife and I work from home and cannot be without internet, but we were let down by telkom and forced to cancel and look for another service provider that would go the extra mile. All this because of a bank glitch which is still a mystery, and telkom not willing to understand and help their customer.
I had a horrible couple of weeks and for me it is so unfair that we still have to pay R834 for the next two months, and last had service in January 2026. Do yourself a favor and stay away, I would not even recommend telkom to my worst enemy. No wonder they lost so much of the market share to other service providers, at the end of the day it all comes down to customer care!!
I took a 2 year contract and in October Telkom sent me an email to say next month my contract ends. Month end of November, they deduct money and I reverse the money thinking my contract ended. They do debit of 2 months which is November and December, meaning that I have completed my contract. January, debit order happens and I am told it’s a charge for reversing money last year November. So they charged me twice if not mistaken for reversing a debit order. This was never communicated when I took the contract. I believe they do that so that they can benefit from customers. I paid all their charges but I do not wish to ever be a customer of Telkom. So disappointed in their service.
This is the second instance of receiving poor customer service. I visited a store for a contract upgrade and was assured that my data would be activated afterward, but that never occurred. When I returned the next day, the consultant was unavailable, and another staff member simply stated that it was active. I then called customer care, where I encountered the same lack of assistance; I was informed that my data wasn't loaded but was told to return to the store instead of receiving help. All I wanted was the data I paid for. Now, I've received an email apologizing but stating that my complaint will take 72 hours to resolve, leaving me without data due to the staff's negligence. The service is extremely disappointing, and this isn't the first time I've faced such issues.
Second time getting bad customer service from Telkom in-store and calling for help.Went to a store upgrade contract consultant insure me my prodata will be loaded after 2.That never happened went back the next day he was off one of other consultant check and just casually say it is active. Decided to call customer care same bad service she say to me she see the data is not loaded but instead of helping she tells me I have to go back to the store.All I want was data of which I pay for .Now I got a email to say we very sorry but complain takes 72 hours to resolve so I have to wait 3 days without data because staff don't do they job.Wow the service is very poor .And this was not even the first time
Increasing subscription fees without customer consent is POPIA violations... cancelling debit order and then to threaten with collections... this is also a violation... In South Africa, debit orders are legally protected through the Consumer Protection Act and banking rules like DebiCheck, which ensure that companies cannot withdraw money from your account without proper authorization and that you can dispute or stop unauthorized withdrawals.
Telkom South Africa – A Completely Avoidable Disaster in Customer ServiceI honestly don’t even know where to begin with Telkom at this point. The level of incompetence, confusion, and pure disregard for customers is actually shocking.I reinstated a number and was clearly told that I must wait until the 5th for Telkom to generate a statement/invoice that contains the information required to complete a port-out. Simple. Straightforward. A standard process.Today is the 5th.Since early this morning, I have been calling Telkom repeatedly to follow up, and what I got in return was:Nobody knows what’s going on:Not one consultant could give me an answer. Everyone is passing the buck, transferring calls, or giving random explanations that don’t even line up with each other.Nobody is willing to assistZero ownership. Zero urgency. Zero accountability. You can literally hear in their tone that they don’t care.Customer service attitude is unacceptableThe responses I received were honestly nonsensical, unhelpful, and borderline disrespectful. It feels like the staff aren’t trained, and worse — they aren’t even trying. At this point, it’s hard not to call it what it is: bullshit customer service.Serious impact on a paying customerI have a client who paid real money to get this line sorted, and they’ve been waiting patiently in good faith. Telkom is now making me look unreliable because they choose to delay, deflect, and act clueless.A process that should take minutes is dragging for daysAll we needed was a statement with the correct details — Telkom’s own requirement. Yet today I’m being sent in circles like I’m asking for something impossible.Bottom LineThis experience has been extremely frustrating, unprofessional, and completely unnecessary. Telkom needs to understand that their lack of service affects real businesses and real people. When you hold customers’ time and money in your hands, playing games is not acceptable.I have lost confidence in Telkom’s ability to deliver basic customer service, let alone manage a simple request without turning it into chaos.At this point, it’s clear the only reliable thing about Telkom is the inconsistency.Sort this out. Immediately.
Upgrading my mobile contract with telkom through their call centre has been nothing short of a nightmare. Poor customer service. I would recommend for anyone to rather visit the Telkom store than to do this via their call centre who are clueless.
The dumbest thing I have ever hear of is having to phone to cancel your contract. So if your unable to phone them during their open hours, you can never leave. So they make it super inconvenient, by long waiting queue, etc. to encourage you to give up and just keep paying. Very sly business practice.
Tried to install fibre optic at our business and two months went by without even a single update. The best part is that they offered us a one month free trial for their LTE package while we wait for the fibre, bundled with a phone line service - NONE of it got activated for that whole month. Then they billed us R 5k for all the installation (which was really just delivery, no technician installed anything) plus one-off fees, plus all the charges after the trial.We went to a physical branch to try to get everything fixed - got told that: 1. Since all of it was ordered through a clueless sales agent, it therefore is an online order so a physical branch can't do anything about it. and 2. To fix some of the additional hardware issues, the technical personnel was still on lunch break and won't show for at least another hour, and it was 3:00pm at the time?!Look, if you trust Telkom with ANYTHING, you are 100% a complete, utter brainlet, just like me. Clowns run this business. so if you see anything with "Telkom" labeled on the it, be it a van, a shop, a building - Literally you will be looking at a clown convention.
They're signals are always poor and and under maintenance im having the worst experience I can't even watch a YouTube video even the adds froze and don't me get started when i want to start working this is the worst place i wont recommend i wish there is a zero star rating please don't use telkom......
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Telkom is a South African mobile telecommunications company.
