Telkom's not so little mistake
2005-11-29 10:01
Pretoria - "I might as well shut the doors of my business for the rest of the year, because according to Telkom, it has suddenly ceased to exist despite the fact that it has been in operation in Pretoria for more than 50 years."
This is what an upset Johan du Toit from Handy Hardware and Locksmith in Menlopark had to say on Monday after his business was one of several that are not listed in the latest Pretoria telephone directory.
The mistake-riddled white and yellow pages for 2005-2006 have already been distributed in large parts of the city.
The directories are mixed up with surnames appearing out of alphabetical order and numbers that have been defunct for years reappearing on the list.
Thabo Seopa, managing director of Telkom's information services, said they became aware of the problem only when customers started complaining.
"We'ave launched a full investigation."
Seopa said Telkom won't bring out a new directory if only a few people or business are affected. If the problem is widespread, it will look at alternative ways to address the matter.
Du Toit said his business has been listed in each of the directories every year and he pays to have the business' name printed in bold.
"Worst of all is that even the people at Telkom can't explain what caused the problem - and this after I paid for the service."
Other businesses that aren't listed include large retail chains such as Dion, Mr Price's clothing section, Leather Tek and the Capitol liquor store in Pretoria North. There are even white space between Gamble Greg and Game Hyper City where the three Game branches in Pretoria should've been listed.
Brink Oosthuizen, concession manager of Noise Boys in Pretoria, said they don't plan on letting their omission from the directories go by quietly.
"I don't think they realise what a critical mistake this is. People phone us every day for quotations and we'll lose a lot of business through Telkom's 'little' mistake."
Seopa said they should know by Wednesday what the extent of the problem is and they will issue a statement at that time.