ABSA fines without notification

We stopped using our ABSA savings account when we opened a cheque account, but we were unable to close the savings account for reasons I don't remember. Then we were unable to close it by phone afterwards. So it stayed open but unused for a year or two. After moving banks, now we're trying to close all accounts. But there is R1700 worth of fines on our savings account.<br> <br> ABSA had been debiting an 'ABSA rewards' fee of R21 per month off the savings account and then fining us twice a month because the account was empty. Internet banking only indicated that the account was empty, not that it was now in debt. ABSA kept fining us R276 per month without ever notifying us, either as 'rewards' client, or as fine-issuing body.<br> <br> There is dereliction of duty in not advising us of the fine, not allowing us to correct it before gathering months of debt. <br> <br> Secondly, there is clear conflict of interest, as ABSA is both client and fine-issuer, and therefore had a vested interest in leaving the problem unaddressed. <br> <br> ABSA have not been able to fix the problem after two branch visits, and promised that the issuing branch would call yesterday, which they did not.<br> <br> I would like the fines reversed.