Update: Vodacom’s nightmare data fiasco fuels social media fire

Update: Vodacom South Africa has issued the following update to media Tuesday afternoon:

Vodacom confirms that it has reimbursed customers affected by last night’s billing issue and remains committed to ensuring that all customers are refunded in full. We thank customers for their patience while the matter was being resolved and reiterate our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. Customers that may have outstanding queries are kindly requested to contact our call centre for resolution on 111. The issue was caused by a configuration change on our prepaid and top up billing system that was problematic. We were able to isolate the cause and roll back this process during the course of last night.

Original article: Vodacom faced the wrath of South Africa on Monday, after the company left a slew of its userbase without data due to a “billing issue”.

The issue seemingly wiped data from prepaid and contract customers’ accounts, even if they weren’t actively using said data. For those who didn’t have their bundles wiped, they were unable to use their purchased data.

“We are aware that some customers are unable to use purchased bundles / getting depletion notifications. Apologies for the inconvenience,” the company tweeted Monday.

We are aware that some customers are unable to use purchased bundles / getting depletion notifications. Apologies for the inconvenience.

— Vodacom (@Vodacom) August 21, 2017

“Vodacom is committed to ensuring that all affected customers will be refunded in full. Thanks again for your patience,” it added in a later tweet.

Soon after the company issues the above responses, “Vodacom” began flooding social media users’ feeds.

Notably, the incident also caught the eye of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, with Police minister Fikile Mbalula also affected.

Dear @Vodacom please refund @whimzee_m and others urgently. For many this means lost employment and study opportunities,among other losses

— Adv Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 21, 2017

Buyisa iDATA yabantwana @Vodacom

— RSA Police Minister (@MbalulaFikile) August 21, 2017

Others also felt the effects, with some thinking of jumping ship to another network.

#Vodacom
When you just recharged with 10GB of data last night and the following day it is depleted pic.twitter.com/0goEw7oveE

— mnisifontein (@tumelo87228256) August 22, 2017

If I don’t get my data bundle and airtime back tomorrow before 10:00am I will do airtime advance,use it n switch to @MTNza plus free Twitter pic.twitter.com/BuuJAP78cH

— Abut_Shilozah (@MasegoLounatic) August 21, 2017

Our 15year relationship ends after I get my data and finish it. Hello @TelkomZA

— Zett Dlambewu (@Mqhayoyo) August 22, 2017

Some just wanted their airtime back.

I want my airtime pic.twitter.com/zUlQNr8m4P

— KENNETH☆☆★YABO (@kenneth_ndlelen) August 21, 2017

See now? What must happen now? pic.twitter.com/WBONEBlwmS

— Genesis (@Tsiko_Tee) August 21, 2017

Sorry and then? pic.twitter.com/YgR8sIXkHU

— Kenney K-Nice (@keno_O8th) August 21, 2017

On Tuesday, Vodacom noted it’s “currently in the process” of refunding affected users.

We are currently in the process of completing all credit refunds and reinstating affected data bundles. Apologies for the inconvenience.

— Vodacom (@Vodacom) August 22, 2017

According to chatter on Twitter, many users have not yet been reimbursed at the time of writing.