Anything that appears to have Government involved is pretty messed up in South Africa.
My Mother-in-Law , was busy moving into an assisted living facility, and I needed to cancel her Phone Connection, not as easy as it sounds?, as you will soon come to know!
So off I go to the nearest Telkom Shop based in Clear Water Mall
Very helpful young man, ( after he had finished his conversation with his fellow employees)asks me how he can help?
Says I need to pay the outstanding amount of R142.00, from me:- " OK here is the money."
" No Sir, we cannot accept payment here, you need to go Pay at Pick n Pay?
Apologies for the Blurry picture , but the second one is a lot better.
So it is not only myself that does not trust State Employees but the actual Employer as well?
I go to Pick n Pay, pay, obtain a receipt and return to show this to him, not good enough, " It takes 48 hours to register on the System."
I then leave before I say something very Charismatic! ( nothing to do with Church)
3 days later, I go back assuming that their 48 hours might take longer than mine?, " Good day Sir, do you have a Mandate from your Mother-in-Law?", I avoid screaming loudly and ask if he is referring to a letter giving me permission to have her phone cut -off?, affirmative.
Type out a Letter at Home, and get Chris to take it to her Mother , for Signature.
I have it, decide to take the Cagiva ( Italian work of Art), for a run to Clearwater, buy the requisite Dark Chocolates, and head for Telkom!
I am addicted to dark chocalate, BTW.
A young Lady helps me this time , " Do you have your Mother-in-Law's ID book with you Sir? ( luckily I am averse to punching Women)
This is rapidly reminding me of Nightmares at the Traffic Department:-
https://steemit.com/lyrics/@awgbibb/officialdom
I go out to find the Cagiva has miraculously developed a Flat Battery, and just as annoying, I cannot blame this on Telkom!
After Pushing , being pushed , locked back wheels ( 11.6 to one Compression Ratio) My Nephew-in-Law, Haydn, comes to rescue me with jumper leads.
The next day,riding Chris's Opel Corsa ldv and armed with the ID Book, I return show all the papers again , and Wonder of Wonders, I get home to find an E-Mail saying , they are busy terminating the Connection.
5 trips to do what one should be able to do on the Phone! ( assuming it is working?)
Photos and writing, my own work.