My mother recently received an sms stating that she owes the SABC R5553 for a TV licence apparently taken out in 1998...

The sms was on behalf of VVM Inc for the SABC stating that she would be black-listed. The problem is that my mother has never taken out a TV licence in her ID nr or in her name, such things are in my father's name. And any such licences were fully paid until we sold the house with all its furniture.

The licence was apparently taken out nearly 13 years ago... Do they really expect anyone to keep proof of payment of a TV licence for 13 years after the fact??? My parents have had the same cell phone numbers since forever, thus could have been reached with ease... It should be illegal for anyone, especially a so-called "creditor, " to threaten with black-listing after 13 years of a so-called unpaid licence, and not a word of warning! Perhaps they should have phoned us 10 years ago to clarify the issue!

This kind of practice cannot continue in South Africa. SABC - clean your house or we will do it for you.