In case someone stumbles onto this thread, after three days of struggling I finally got some answers and, if not a solution, at least a workaround.
After making a lot of noise on Capitec’s social media I was told that there are known issues with the current version of Capitec’s app, specifically with iPhones and also on the MTN network (a double whammy for me). Technicians are apparently working on it.
Meanwhile I had to uninstall my app and re-activate my internet banking using a token, like I used 12 years ago when I opened my account, just so I can bank. I find it ridiculous but at least I can make my payments now.
Two suggestions that I got while struggling, that didn’t work for me but may help someone else, are:
1. Let Client Services change your verification method from SMS to email.
2. As per a message I received from their support staff on Twitter:
Kindly send an SMS with the word “Test” to the following numbers:
• 30857
• Vodacom - 278200506030007
• MTN - 2783920660000009
• Cell C - 27840030857
• 8ta - 2781160001630857
You then send the activation SMS manually to whichever of the above numbers were successful in sending the “test” SMS. The steps for this are as follows:
1. Open the Remote Banking App
2. Enter the Account number and the Remote banking PIN, proceed
3. Copy the text that is on the SMS screen - it will look something like: “Capitec activation: xxxxxxxxxxxxx”
4. Create a new SMS and paste the text copied previously as the SMS body
5. Send the new SMS to whichever of the above shortcodes were successful in sending the original “test” SMS
6. Go back to the Remote Banking App, there should be a banner stating ‘Activating’
I hope this helps someone!