Debt - How long to collect?

[Mel25]

Hi
Rented tv from Teljoy in 2003,in 2004 collected because I could not afford anymore. In 2006 I received notice from lawyers acting on behalf of SABC that I owed them-I wrote to them and explained that I had rented therefore Teljoy was liable for tv licence.I assumed the matter dealt with only to get notice in 2008 that legal action would be taken against me.Nothing further heard until 2009,I went through the whole procedure again.Suddenly new set of attorneys sent me letters stating legal action,this was April of this year.I tried calling their offices but was kept on hold for over 10 minutes and was calling from prepaid cell therefore chose to write/email them again.Considered matter closed again but lo and behold received another sms from the first attorneys yesterday.What are my rights?Has this debt prescribed? m I liable to pay for something that I feel is not my responsibility?The horrible thing is I want to buy a tv now and do the right thing by getting a licence HELP PLEASE

[AndyD]

As far as I know debts don't prescribe because you don't pay them, they only prescribe after a certain length of time if they don't pursue payment. Sounds like the sporadic attempts by various lawyers to claim payment would have stopped the debt prescribing. Maybe wait for someone more legal minded to confirm.

Was it in the original Teljoy contract that Teljoy were responsible for the TV license? Do you still have the original contract? If you do then surely just faxing this to any party inquiring about the license fees outstanding would close the matter.

[Dave A]

Mel, I'm not sure how far a "Teljoy is liable" defence might go, but here's two threads on the subject of TV licence fee collection that might help you - TV licence and TV licence scam.