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!!
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Telkom is a South African mobile telecommunications company.