Special Ops/ Savika's total lack of service for security following bodily threat of violence

We were with Special Ops since 2019. Initially we were very happy with their service but over the last year or so we have noticed fewer and fewer vehicles in our area. On the 12 of November we were let down by Special Ops so badly I emailed them notification of instant cancellation. After this email (copied below) I did not hear from them at all, not even an email acknowledging that I had emailed them. In the email I sent I copied in both managers trevor@savika.co.za and izak@savika.co.za as well as accounts shirley@savika.co.za.

Eventually I could not wait for acknowledgment any longer and on the 27 November 2023 I called their offices and eventually managed to speak to this manager Trevor. During our conversation he said he had not received my email. By this time I was completely disgusted as to how badly they had failed me in my most vulnerable time of need. Trevor then accused me of threatening him as I told him that if I did not receive assistance I would take my matter to Social Media. He then accused me of threatening him. It was at this time that that I was completely shocked and advised him that I had been threatened and I was completely disgusted that he was talking to me in this manner and asking me if I was threatening him when it was me that had been threatened, that I was the one who had been in danger and been threatened. My life had been threatened and Special Ops/ Savika had completely failed me.

I then told them that as they had failed to uphold their contractual obligations which I pay a monthly premium for, that I cancel my contract effective immediately and that they must send someone to collect their equipment from my home.

I have not heard back from them either to collect their equipment or goodness, an apology.

Instead they have deducted their monthly premium as well as an additional R253 for some service fee. Yes I do notice that they have refunded me the R253 but I have not heard anything or received a refund for my deducted premium of R517.58. I will now approach my bank for a payment reversal. Even though this will cost me R325.50 I would rather the bank have the money than Special Ops/ Savika after the way I have and have not been treated.

Copied below is the email I sent them on the 13 November 2023

This message was sent with High importance.

Kerri Lehmann-Poultney ​ Shirley; izak@savika.co.za; trevor@savika.co.za ​ Mon 2023/11/13 16:15 Dear Shirley, Trevor and management at Special Ops

This is a letter advising Special Ops that we are cancelling our contract with them effective immediately!

Last night we had a situation where I was looking for my cat that had run away, due to the bombs that the neighbors were letting off for Diwali. I was in the street and the drunken neighbours heard me and came out and started taunting me.

Eventually they were threatening me with violence. They threatened my life. I was completely unsafe and needed assistance!

Both my wife and I pressed all our panic buttons over and over... we pressed both the panic buttons on our remotes as well as the panic buttons attached to our walls in our house. We then called your number for assistance. I was told that they could not assistance me that I had to put the phone down and call 082911!

Up till right now I have not heard NOTHING from you and still no one has even come to our premises to see if I am alive or not. You completely failed us in our time of need which is the exact reason we employed your services! I am shocked, disgusted, outraged and cheated of our monthly service fees!!

I cannot describe how disgusted and let down we feel at your lack of services! I was in a situation where I was threated with bodily injury which could have led to my death and I get told you cannot help me!!!!

My wife has in the past used alternative numbers to reach you and none of those numbers worked either.

I am cancelling our contract with you!

I am signing a stop order with my bank and no further funds will be deducted from my account in respect of Special Ops!!

I have paid my monthly service fees and you have not provided the service, as such you are in breach of contract!

You did not fulfill your side of the contract!

Kerri Lehmann-Poultney 071 689 4773