SABC tell me I can be prosecuted for buying a TV licence!

[chrisc4290]

Since 1972 I have bought the TV licence in my name. In 2004 my wife decided she wanted to run the house finances and bought the TV licence since 2005. I have had renewals ever since and each time I have replied, enclosing a copy of the paid licence.

Yesterday the SABC collections dept called demanding I pay arrears since 2005. I said I had receipts and read them all out (this took 20 mins). She calls back today saying I am not allowed to just disregard the renewal, so I explain again, it is just the two of us living in the same house and I have given you all the receipts, so I am not paying again. I say I also emailed you the letter I wrote in November 2004 advising of what was happening, with the ID numbers, SABC account numbers. No she said, this is illegal, you will be prosecuted and we have lawyers who attend to this.

So I said, "send them on, since you will not listen to me". She said I must not get smart with her, so I hung up

[Mike Hoxbig]

She said I must not get smart with her, so I hung up

My response to that is usually "I don't have the patience to dumb myself down to your level".

[The_Librarian]

[ToxicBunny]

The SABC love doing this....

Their record keeping is beyond atrocious... just ignore it, nothing will come of it.

[Koosi]

Seems Select Another Blowing Channel is pretty desperate for cash

[Slootvreter]

SABC will not get a cent out of me.

[Centronix]

I say, don't even let it worry you. If they are too dumb or incompetent, it's not your fault

[cjimme]

You must tell your wife she's going to have to toughen up a bit as soon they are going to tell you they will blacklist you, and then they threaten your spouse (got that one yesterday from those VVM or VVW legal schmucks).

But just ignore it - I tried to sort it out with them but it was impossible. Their system is such a mess.

[Garyvdh]

Your mistake was switching the license into her name.
My mistake was buying a new license when I moved into my house twelve years ago since I get the previous owner's license every year anyway.

[dlevine]

never ever register, then they dont know you exist .

[JStrike]

Since 1972 I have bought the TV licence in my name. In 2004 my wife decided she wanted to run the house finances and bought the TV licence since 2005. I have had renewals ever since and each time I have replied, enclosing a copy of the paid licence.

Yesterday the SABC collections dept called demanding I pay arrears since 2005. I said I had receipts and read them all out (this took 20 mins). She calls back today saying I am not allowed to just disregard the renewal, so I explain again, it is just the two of us living in the same house and I have given you all the receipts, so I am not paying again. I say I also emailed you the letter I wrote in November 2004 advising of what was happening, with the ID numbers, SABC account numbers. No she said, this is illegal, you will be prosecuted and we have lawyers who attend to this.

So I said, "send them on, since you will not listen to me". She said I must not get smart with her, so I hung up

You can ignore them.
They won't take you to court. They will just get the lawyers to try scare you.
They won't win that court case, and they would have to pay costs

[cyberbob1979]

We have the same issue here. Sent the papers through and all the documentation to say that the TV we had was given to the maid and the license should be cancelled as we do not own a TV or TV like equipment in the house.

They keep sending threatening letters, but we have sent and spoken over the phone about everything and sent copies to the SABC lawers, but ya... Madam Speaker is so busy on the phone... She must follow up and tell them to pay!

[bex.cpt]

10 years ago I stopped paying TV License. I have been called, sent registered letters, emailed and to all of this I have replied and told them to GO TO HELL if they cannot manage their billing properly I refuse to pay them a flipping cent. They have now left me alone for the past 5 years and I have yet to hear or receive any kind of correspondence from them.

Stuff those incompetent idiots. I suggest you tell them the same

[Mouse]

We have the same issue here. Sent the papers through and all the documentation to say that the TV we had was given to the maid and the license should be cancelled as we do not own a TV or TV like equipment in the house.

I went through a similar thing for a few years. Their lawyers would send me emails demanding payment. I replied explaining why they're wrong.
The mails kept coming anyway so I started replying with dirty pictures (people vomiting, pictures from ratemypoo.com, etc)
They stopped sending me mail after that.

[tRoN]

We have the same issue here. Sent the papers through and all the documentation to say that the TV we had was given to the maid and the license should be cancelled as we do not own a TV or TV like equipment in the house.

They keep sending threatening letters, but we have sent and spoken over the phone about everything and sent copies to the SABC lawers, but ya... Madam Speaker is so busy on the phone... She must follow up and tell them to pay!

Really?
You don't own a tv ?
How do u keep from getting bored?