Absa failure

I am currently in New Zealand and trying to get my Absa Savings account closed, as it is an inactive account, and I have no income in South Africa.

Unlike the wonderful FNB, I cannot close my account with a simple email or phone call. So my next step was to give my mother power of attorney (when she visited me in NZ, so that she has the original documentation) so that she can close the inactive savings account on my behalf.

Then Absa informed me that they require an Apostille Certificate, which I can only obtain from Wellington (a full day's travel from Auckland, where I am) which is a signature and stamp. Absa contacted me telephonically, confirmed that it is me by asking all the security questions. Yet my account cannot be closed.

Then I receive an email informing me that there will be administration costs on the account even though it is an inactive account. My question now is, how do they expect me to pay admin costs on an inactive account if I have no income in South Africa to pay into the account.

To date (from 19 February 2020) I have not received any response to my last email sent to Absa.