MultiChoice Africa / DSTV
Reviews and Complaints

My dstc compact services have been suspended by Multichoice, the call centre agent informed me absa bank reversed a payment I deposited at absa atm on 9 February 2017. The reversal apparently happened on 1 June 2017. Currently no one has really tried to assist all I get is empty promises of feedback but it's been a week and I'm still waiting. I approached absa bank and told I would have to provide atm where a deposit was made or a slip for the deposit. I unfortunately can't point out an atmosphere machine at East gate mall because it was recently revamped and I do not have the deposit slip for February. My dstv account no. [protected]

Hi, I purchased DsTV because I found that the content on normal TV repeated itself too often. But now I'm paying over R400 to have the same thing happen. For example, the TV series Friends on Comedy Central has 10 seasons and a total of 236 episodes, yet I have actually sat down and watched one Friends episode and then watched the exact SAME episode to two episodes later. That means within a span of roughly an hour after watching that episode it aired again...

I can cancel my DsTV subscription and sign up to Netflix for only R195 and then just use the difference towards a faster internet connection; the only reason I haven't done that is because my parents don't want me to go through the trouble.

Hi, I paid my dstv since last week but unfortunately it was disconnected on monday and when I called they said it was a mistake and promised to reconnect it, yesterday again I called they said it was network problem but until now it's still the same my reference number is [protected] and acc no is [protected] my name is Heritier Mutanda my phone no [protected] please reconnect my line today my kids are disturbing me all this days

I requested 1 month DSTV on 23June 2016 till 22July 2016 and made payment to the amount requested to pay R809 for service till 22 July(school holidays). Multichoice did not disconnect me on the 22nd. I was not using the DSTV as I had disconnected the TV as kids were back at school. Only when I received an sms on the 18 August 2016 of an outstanding amount did I call and demand a disconnection and explained my issue. The agent then went back and listened to the call on the 23 June and agreed that I was supposed to be disconnected on the 22 July. The agent then requested a journal entry to reverse the amounts. So I thought all was fine and rosy until I receive an SMS on 12 June 2017 to inform me that my account has been handed over to SSDA for collection. No communication with me at all since August 2016. So I called the call center this morning to explain and now they give me a total different story. So I request the recordings of all previous calls to take the matter further. Now I must go to an agency where I can listen to the calls but cannot make a copy for me.

Furthermore this is not the first time that I have issues with their billing services. Can somebody tell me the correct way to resolve this issue?

I was sold a dstv explora on price lock, the sales consultant ensured me due to the fact that we stay in a complex and make use of a communual dish that installation from dstv will not be needed, it's was delivered almost two weeks ago and they started billing me from the time of delivery, for a product that I can't use, it has been reported by me to dstv and need this product picked up from my premesis and refunded on my dstv account, or the next call dstv will receive will be from my lawyer or the ombudsmen .
My contact number is [protected].

I'm wasting no more Airtime with dstv any more.. .Please do not see this as a threat but rather a warning.

Kind regards and a very disappointed dstv client.

back in 2015 I experienced a problem where in my services were disconnected and I was later informed that my premiums were being allocated to my two dstv accounts, of which it came as a surprise to me because according to my knowledge I have only one account it was later explained that its because I have purchased decoders twice and that was being recorded as if in having two accounts running.But still that came as a surprise to me because all along before than I had been paying one premium and not even once did I ever get a query about why the the other decoder is not being paid and all of a sudden my services were off for owing. well problem solved and it was noted that I am only using one decoder. Now years later my services are disconnected again on the 8th of June 2017 and when I call in they tell me the premium I paid on the 28th of May came through as unpaid, I informed the lady that was impossible because I paid as spar cash she told me I need to send them proof of payment in order for them to verify what I am saying I told her I have lost my receipt she informed me that her supervisor says they can assist me without the proof of payment, I drove to spar on that evening luckily for me they managed to do a reprint I emailed it to them immediately and my services were reconnected. Now again today I switch on the tv only to find my services have been disconnected again, and now I am being told that their system shows that payment which was made in January was reversed by pep store on the 7th of June 2017, like really how is this possible, I always pay my account ahead, if not a month ahead it will be a few rands ahead was is this happening now and now I am told I must forward the receipt dated January the 30th I mean where am I expected to get that from? and if I were to go ask for reprint which pep store to I go to because truth is I don't pay at one store where ever I am able to pay I pay, like now as I'm sure they can see my last premium was paid at spar. Really I need to understand now that I have no clue where to get this receipt from will this now be my loss and I must go and pay multichioce money that I do not owe? I have never once skipped payment, again they telling me money I paid in on the 30th January appeared reversed by pep and I must take it up with pep than again they come back ask me for receipt in order for them to escalate the matter further. the fact it shows in the first place that money was paid in on the 30th of January and reversed by "pep" as they say;should by that be proof enough that I made payment and they must just investigate why it was reversed?

Honestly this is emotionally draining and unfair, just because I am on the receiving side am I just expected to just go and pay and pretend as if the monies I've been paying in don't matter? While knowing very well that not even once did I ever use a card to pay for the dstv services? I always use cash and all of a sudden my payments are being reversed out of no where.

back in 2015 I took it in and life went on and now am I to do the same thing again, just pop out my money and fix something I know very well has nothing to do with me?

When you ask for answers from Multichioce their escape is always proof of payment, proof of payment which never even last as well because all the receipt s from easy pay stores always fade very fast but now I'm expected to have a receipt from January.

this is very frustrating honestly and this is one unnecessary frustration one does not need or expect to have.

Since form March Ive been calling the multichoice customer service department asking them to down grade from premium to compact with no help.Everytime when I call the call centre they promised to down grade my subscription but only to find out month end when I have to pay that my subcription hasnt been down graded.Ive called them for the passed days almost everyday spending huge amount of money on airtime.they keep promising me that they were pulling out all our conversation as theyve been recorded for security purpose to see if whos fault is it.

Hi,

Problem started Tuesday the 6th June 2017. The error message is “There is no signal. This may be due to bad weather or a faulty connection in the installation. Error Code : E48-32”

Installer was contacted and advised they would come and fix the problem, till this day they have yet to come and they are ignoring calls. As a new dstv customer this has been a bad experience for the family, we wish that Dstv intervenes as a matter of URGENCY for this problem to be corrected. It is very unprofessional the way the installer is treating us and the problem could’ve been resolved long ago by now. Installers need to treat customers fairly.

See installers details below;

1016E Mocwaledi Street, Pampierstad, 8566, Northern Cape.

Accreditation number: 00053048M

Installer: TK Motebe

Mokiwaga Trading
Cellphone: [protected]
Email: irvine.[protected]@yahoo.com
Telephone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

PAMPIERSTAD
8566

I am Ajiboye Abiola from Osogbo, Nigeria, my subscription supposed to expire on the 9th of June and I made an online payment #1, 900 on 7th of June for another month subscription. My subscription has not been activated till today 10th of June. Please act fast on my complaint by activating my subscription.
I have tried several means of complaint no response or reactivation has been effected.
Smart card number: [protected]

My account is [protected]. I paid one year premium subscription on my dual view PVR last year May but the decoder spoilt and I bought a new one with a one month free subscription on Compact Plus in June. They could not connect my dual view and requested me to come after the one month. At the expiration of this in July, I came to connect my dual view and they said I will have to pay for one month subscription before they will activate my former account details. I did. At the end of this another one month, in August, they then finally connected the transaction history on my new PVR with the transaction history on my old, replaced PVR. The balance on my account as at August 2017 was N159644, implying that my subscription should end July 2018. It is unfortunate that this incident of blocked service earlier reported and resolved in May this year is repeating itself; and this time I get the most passive and dispassionate response. I have wasted credit trying to call your insensitive customer service. My entire household has wasted credit doing the same. What more reassurance can DSTV give me as I miss out the UEFA final match today? DSTV has lost me forever. I presently support over 4 decoders and I will stop further subscription on some and move to the cheapest bouquet possible on the rest while paying monthly subscription instead of annually that you guys cannot manage. The ills of monopoly!

Reference # [protected]-I162 - 10/02/2017 @2.15pm - spoke to Janice
Reference #8323334 ongoing from Dec-2016

DSTV/Multichoice has been duplicate charging Medwood and Mr Oelofse for the same decoder for 6+months now. Regardless of numerous correspondence and promises, the matter still has not been resolved. instead of refunding Mr Oelofse as promised, DSTV continues to charge him for a decoder that is on another companies name and is also paid for monthly by other said company.

As Mr Oelofse is not being assisted, he will have to resort to legal action requesting compensation and interest charges too.

The below was agreed upon but DSTV never honoured there commitment. check you recordings!

DSTV billed Mr Oelofse ...
R844.00 DSTV
+Showmax
85.00 Extra view
195.00 Tavern and Shabeen Contract (Medwood)
759.00 Hidden contract running in hidden coding in background
759.00 Hidden contract running in hidden coding in background
2’642.00

They are going to refund you (Will reflect as a credit on your account)
759.00 January-17 - Hidden contract running in hidden coding in background
759.00 February-17 Hidden contract running in hidden coding in background
759.00 February-17 Hidden contract running in hidden coding in background
195.00 February-17 Tavern & Shabeen (Medwood)
R2’472.00 .

I spoke to Janice
On 10/02/2017 @ 2.15pm
Reference #[protected] – I162

Since January 2017 we have been struggling with our account. new price lock was loaded but old one not cancelled - incorrect debit order R2122.81 - we returned this and logged several queries.

We made several calls and I visisted your offices 3 times.

Khulekani Nkosi advised us to pay R1152 and then said Lindiwe will call us to resolve the query which did not happen.

We call again. Londiwe e-mailed us to advise us credits was done to correct the account and was the due amount R1275.93 which I paid and debit order was re-instated.

Then I got a msg to say outstanding was R1425.53? I e-mailed Londiwe who said I should ignore this, system error.

We then got a call from ITC to say the our account was handed over to them for collections for R80. I e-mailed Londiwe and Khulekani Nkosi(10/05/17) and up to date no response. I call the customer line and they confirmed no arrears.

Today I am again being debited R1199

I do not know what this amount is made up of as the price lock is R949 and my insurances cannot be R250?

And on the insurance we asked your office 3 times if this is correct. Their should be 4 devices (3 on insurance and the newest apparently on guarantee) but this is not what my statement is showing.

I need to know what am I paying for as my statement is not making any sense at all and I need confirmation that my insurance is corrected.

I am still waiting if my account was retracted from ITC.

Why is it so difficult just to sort out an account query

Called DSTV in Feb, March & May for the cancellation of my services nevertheless the kept their monthly debt on my account. R2400. I call yesterday told the same story that my account had been suspended I am still going to wait and see as other months if the debt order doesn't go through. Mysteriously they cant get any records of my call including the call I made in January when they hit my account with a double debt know they want me to tell them the number I used to call to validate my concern. I gave the two alternate numbers and they can not find them now they demanding I provide an itemized bill of call from my provider. This is bad service really bad and I haven't seen such arrogance and robbery, such a big company R2400 really? due to incompetence in your systems get the money anywhere BUT make sure I am not debited again cos your system and processes are unjust.

Why close MNet Edge & open a new channel (901) a few months later?! In case you haven't noticed, you are broadcasting some of the best shows more or less simultaneously - late at night - so they can't all be recorded & in some cases there are no repeats - e.g. Fargo. As a result, I missed the final episode of Homeland, several episodes of Fargo 3, plus several other decent shows.

Secondly, will you rescreen the most recent season of Homeland, Fargo 3 & other recent series?

Thirdly, what has happened to Inspector Gently, The Fall & Top of the Lake?

Come on Dstv - we are paying premium prices for a reduced service!

My services on acc [protected] has been discontinued ONE DAY before my billing/pay date meanwhilst I was advised last month (April) of the amount I had to pay and also that I should request after the payment that I made, to be put on a Holiday Viewing for one of the two decoders I have. Needles to say, I complied, only to be cut off ONE DAY BEFORE I am supposed to pay my account. I was under the impression and informed as such that the money I had to pay (which they provided me) would cover up to the 25th of May 2017! Now I must sit without a viewing, due to some-ones incompetence! Pathetic!

On the 3rd of March I went over to pricelock I was still in credit because i pay in advance so the first instalmnet for pricelock was suppose to be end of March, on the 27th I spoke to nkatko
ad advised that payment was still not taken off he advised he will sort out, last week my decorder was disconnected due to not paying and they wanted payment of R3003 i advised them i have been with miltichoice for 5year and i never had a problem they had my banking detaild and they did not deduct the money so according to me i will not
be liable for the the arrears due to there mistake
they advise me that someone from price lock will phone me this is 5iddays later and still no feedback or telephone cal received

Paid my dstv for the year when I was moving got it disconnected but was not told that if you leave it disconnected for longer than a month you lose your free month the add is pay for the year and only pay for 11 months but no one tells you that you have to use it in 13 months otherwise you lose the free month I think this is a total and utter rip off.

First of all, I wonder (as do many other subscribers) how much attention will be given to this complaint.
Over the past 6 weeks I have had plenty time to watch dstv - repeat after repeat. Daytime viewing is a waste of time if one watches evening programs as well. This is a major gripe but my main complaint is the recording scheduling.
By using the 'TV guide' button to list all programs, I can select all the programs that I want to record for the week ahead. Any conflicts can be resolved by changing a recording to a rerun of the same program. Now, this is where there is a major problem.
So many times I try record sporting events and end up watching something completely different. Although the menu bar shows the time, program and date correctly, the recorded content is not that. The list of such instances is considerable and is extremely frustrating as luck has it that the required event is NOT shown again. I recently tried to record a sporting event and instead got 'Infinity nascar racing'. After stopping this recording, I then saw that this Nascar event was being screened live on 2 supersport channels at the same time - why?. My program had been moved to a later time but the recording time was not automatically changed! On 20th May, I set to record the RSA 7's rugby games ( 3 matches being rerun). What did I get -
Indy 500 race cars - couldn't think of anything more boring! Another annoying problem is that a program is advertised for a certain time slot but then starts 15 minutes late, thus finishing 15 minutes late. Does the recording time accommodate this - no! The program, King Fishers, is a competition with the winner being announced at the end of the program. I have yet to see who wins any of these challenges because the recording stops at the allocated time while the show continues.
You might say that your T&C's cover the occasional change but this is a joke. Everyday there is a problem with timing of shows.
Like other viewers, I pay a fortune to have DSTV premium but I often wonder why I bother. It is only LIVE sports that are on time - for obvious reasons.
Whoever does the scheduling needs to wake up and get things correct. Your software should be able to adjust all settings if there are changes made to the schedule. We pay for this service but certainly do not get our moneys worth.

Good Evening,
I logged a complaint at 2:37pm this afternoon on Facebook after I could not get throughn on live chat. 7 hours later and no solution provided; the feedback returned is only through my posts on social media requesting follow ups on my service issue. I am sad to say that had I not requested an update, that I would still be waiting in vain. I am tired now of the service challenges every few days. Look at the website and search for my name... you'll see the number of times I've complained. I no longer trust not have faith in DSTV. I now wish to be compensated for the lack of service and would appreciate refunding me for the hours where your on line catch up service has not delivered as promised. I appeal to the respectful nature of the company and look forward to hearing from your Customer Services Manager soonest.
Regards, Nicola Conlan

I recently changed my Dstv to a pvr ... the first week the pvr was working perfectly fine and all of a sudden there was an error E16 I phoned about 6 six times and each call lasted about 30-45 minutes to try and sort out the problem, eventually I had to take the decoder to one of the branches ... it work fine for a few weeks ... now again there is a error E201 ... on the self service there are not even a error like that ... so I had to phone again and once again the call agents couldn't help me ... the guy eventually said after about 20 minutes on the phone he had to go he wail phone me back .. And he never did ... the service from the agents are pathetic ... so I have to pay for a service that I didn't receive .