Absa Deceased Estates are a nightmare to deal with!

I am writing to lodge a formal complaint against Absa’s deceased estate service regarding the handling of my late father’s estate.

My name is Johan du Toit, and I am the executor of my father, Chris du Toit’s estate. What should have been a straightforward process has turned into a two-year ordeal filled with delays, excuses, and unnecessary costs. I am beyond frustrated and demand immediate action.

This process began in 2023, and it is now July 2025. Over these two years, I’ve been sent on a wild goose chase by Absa. I’ve made several trips to bank to open an estate late account, each time being told that my documents didn’t meet some new, unclear requirement. The letter of executorship, certified by the Master of the High Court and accepted by every other company my father dealt with, was rejected by Absa’s branches despite Absa themselves accepting it via email to offset my father’s accounts earlier in the process. The inconsistency is baffling.

To meet Absa’s demands, I had to: Obtain an unabridged death certificate from Home Affairs, taking six months to arrive. Secure the original letter of executorship, which cost R3000 through a specialized service because traditional methods failed. Another 8 months to get that sorted.

After jumping through every hoop, I finally managed to open the estate late account in 2025. I deposited the required R500 to activate it and even had to return to the bank to set up internet banking—another unnecessary step. On June 4, 2025, I sent confirmation of the account to Absa’s deceased estate department, emailing the various contacts I’ve dealt with over the past two years. It’s now July 4, 2025, and despite sending two reminder emails to each person, I’ve heard nothing back. A month of silence is unacceptable after two years of continuous delays.

I demand that Absa pay out the balance of my father’s estate to the estate late account immediately. I’ve seen other Hellopeter complaints where Absa claims a “90-day waiting period” for payouts. Let me be clear: I will not accept this. Two years of running in circles—chasing documents, spending thousands, and getting no responses—is more than enough. Your own correspondence stated payment would be released once the estate late account was confirmed, and I’ve fulfilled my part. There is no justification for further delays.

If Absa does not transfer the funds promptly, I will have to pursue legal action. I refuse to tolerate another round of waiting, especially knowing that once payment is made, Absa will lock the account, forcing me to deal with the ***** department, resubmit documents, and wait, once again.

Absa’s deceased estate service has been a disgrace. Why is the department that deals with dead people's estates a bureaucratic nightmare to deal with? I urge Absa to settle this matter urgently and ensure no other families endure this torment. Pay out the balance now—no more delays, no more excuses.

Sincerely, Johan du Toit