As it already is, South African network providers, particularly Vodacom themselves, charge exorbitant fees for data bundles and tariff plans; so, the mysterious depletion and disappearance of already expensive data was not going to be taken lightly by Vodacom customers and they were not going to turn the other cheek as they took to social media to vent out frustrations and expletives.
Some reactions were more vulgar than others, some funnier than others, some more sincere and deflated by the situation. Users of competing network providers such as MTN, Cell C and Telkom understandably saw the lighter side as they somehow see fit to describe the situation as “fair”, because they know the experience of unceremoniously losing data and airtime for no particular reason all too well. Some users even took the liberty of purchasing more data just to take to social media to complain about data, at the risk of losing the data once again. Here are screenshots of the more noteworthy complaints about Vodacom on social media.
Although following the incident Vodacom has reimbursed and reinstated all customer data as well as 500mb, for data that had been depleted or for lack of a better word, “disappeared”, the incident created a maligned and unnecessary feeling of helplessness and despair amongst Vodacom users. Vodacom has since afforded their sincerest apologies to customers and users, Vodacom spokesperson Byron Kennedy insisted, speaking on EWN and ENCA emphasising that data was not “stolen” or “taken” from customers, elaborating that it was all an unfortunate internal incident on their part, as there was a configuration to tariff plans which led to the error.
The National Consumer Commission has launched a probe against Vodacom and encouraged customers to direct complaints to them
By Kabelo Sedumedi: @KingBoboza
