Gallo Manor resident, Paul Botes has been in contact with Telkom since December last year regarding a telephone pole which is collapsing into his property, and is yet to see the problem resolved despite many attempts to get it resolved.
Botes said the pole is broken in the middle with the electrical wires collapsing and he is concerned that his neighbour’s children and pets will also be severely hurt if it collapses, as it is situated in his property but is falling over into the neighbouring property.
Paul said he has contacted Telkom 16 times to try and resolve the issue and that the reference number he received when he first contacted the organisation on 3 December can no longer be traced.
Botes said that a Telkom representative came to their house to take pictures on 4 December last year, but did not return or contact him thereafter.
After 14 calls to the Telkom call centre, following the technician’s visit, Botes said a Telkom representative eventually contacted him to establish where Gallo Manor is situated. Botes said that he explained to the representative that it is in Sandton. The representative told Botes that he is unable to assist because he works in Port Elizabeth.
Botes said that the representative could not assist him, but that he was promised that the situation would be escalated to the regional supervisor.
However, according to Botes, there has been no further contact from Telkom. He explained that when he repeatedly phoned the Telkom centre, he was assured that the matter was being handled and that he would be contacted with a solution.
Botes said a technician was sent to repair the telephone line, which was not faulty, on 30 March, but not the collapsing pole.
On 30 March, Botes appeared to have some luck when a man at the Telkom call centre told him that his complaints have been directed to the incorrect department all along. The now frustrated Botes said the Telkom employee raised a separate incident report with a different trace number. The concerned resident also said he has been assured by this man that his complaint will be sent to the correct department, however, Botes is still awaiting a response.
A Sandton Chronicle journalist contacted Telkom on numerous contact numbers on 1 April and 5 April but was not given a comment. The numbers contacted were 0800 201 226, 0800 124 000, 0800 006 525 and 10210. When the journalist contacted 1023 on 4 April, she was advised to send an email to Telkom and she is now awaiting a response.
The wait continues.
