This is the most complained about company in South Africa

The South African Consumer Goods and Services Ombudsman (CGSO) has released its latest annual report, showing which companies drew the most complaints in 2015/16.

Issues relating to mobile phones topped the list of complaints during the year, with mobile operator MTN faring worst of all operators and all companies, drawing 613 complaints (out of 951 cellphone cases and 3,495 cases overall).

According to the ombud, the high number of complaints against MTN was a result of a strike, and the fact that MTN displayed CGSO’s number on its webpage.

“This resulted in many complainants calling CGSO thinking that they were calling the MTN complaint line,” it said.

“It needs also to be pointed out that the number of complaints received against the other network providers reflects only the portion of the year to July 2015, when CGSO stopped dealing with their complaints because of their continual refusal to join CGSO.”

The matter has been referred to the NCC for its decision as to whether network providers fall within CGSO’s jurisdiction. The CGSO continues, however, to deal with complaints arising from the marketing of cellular equipment by participating retailers.

SA’s most complained-about brand

To date, of the 3,495 cases opened with the ombudsman in the review year, 2,192 have been closed, and 1,303 remain open.

869 complaints were upheld fully (40%), and 52 complaints (2%) were upheld partially. 258 complaints were not upheld (12%) – while 204 (9%) were dismissed.

These are the most complained-about companies in South Africa

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