How to Stop WASP Subscriptions in South Africa
If your airtime keeps dropping, paid content services may be one reason. Use this guide to check, cancel, and block unwanted WASP charges on your network.
Reviewed 2 August 2026
Quick Answer
Use the current operator route below, cancel every active paid service, and enable a content block if available. Vodacom, MTN and Telkom publish direct USSD routes; Cell C may require its main self-service, app, web, or support channels.
Need the full explanation first?
This page focuses on cancellation actions. If you want a full diagnostic and prevention guide covering what WASP/VAS charges are, why they happen, how to detect them, and when to escalate, start here:
How to Stop Unwanted WASP / VAS Charges in South AfricaDirect Answer Summary
How to stop WASP subscriptions immediately
Use the network route below, open subscription management where available, and cancel all active paid services. Keep confirmation messages in case you need to dispute ongoing charges later.
How to check if you have active subscriptions
Look for terms such as "subscriptions", "content services", "premium services", or "Manage WASPs" in the operator's current self-service channel. If unfamiliar services appear, unsubscribe and monitor your airtime for the next day or two.
Step-by-Step by Network
Vodacom
- Dial *135*997# from your Vodacom SIM.
- Open the subscriptions or content services option.
- Select each active service and unsubscribe.
- If available, turn on a content block for future charges.
MTN
- Dial *155# from your MTN line.
- Go to content services or subscriptions.
- Cancel all listed paid services.
- Apply a block option if your menu shows one.
Telkom
- Dial *179# on your Telkom mobile number and follow the current unsubscribe prompts.
- In MyTelkom, open My Products, then Subscriptions and Content Services to review active third-party services.
- If neither route is available, use official Telkom support instead of guessing a menu path.
- Ask for each paid service to be stopped and for future premium-content billing to be blocked where available.
- Save confirmation SMS messages as proof.
Cell C
- Sign in to the official Cell C Manage WASPs page and review the listed services.
- Cancel any active premium service you do not recognise.
- If the online manager is unavailable, call 135 from the Cell C line and request cancellation plus a content block.
- Check your balance over the next 24 to 48 hours.
Why your airtime is disappearing
In many cases, unexpected airtime loss is linked to paid SMS content services. This can happen after tapping a popup, entering a number on a promo page, or accepting a service message without noticing the billing terms.
Airtime can also drop due to background data use. If you want a full check, use our South Africa USSD codes guide and our data drain troubleshooting guide.
For a broader consumer-protection explanation of WASP/VAS billing patterns, use our main WASP / VAS guide.
What to do if charges continue
1. Repeat the operator subscription check and confirm no active premium services remain.
2. Contact your network support team and request a paid content block.
3. Share your cancellation SMS records and ask for a charge investigation.
4. If needed, compare your options on our network comparison hub before switching providers.
You can also review your operator page directly for support context: Vodacom, MTN, or Telkom. For page methodology standards, see how we evaluate operator information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop WASP subscriptions?
Use your network's current subscription route, open the service list, and cancel unwanted paid services. Then enable a content block if the operator offers one.
Why am I being charged for services I didn't subscribe to?
This is often linked to premium content sign-ups accepted through a link, popup, or old opt-in flow. Check active services on your network menu, cancel anything unfamiliar, and monitor airtime after cancellation.
Author and review notes
Written by Riccardo Vallaro
Telecom & Mobile Services Specialist
Mobile services and telecom professional with experience across VAS, carrier billing, mobile content, and African operator partnerships.
Reviewed / updated: 2 August 2026
Why trust this guide: Based on public operator subscription-management routes, WASP/VAS billing patterns, USSD flows, and South African prepaid user needs.
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