ABSA froze my account without notification, now I can not access my money!

I am a Namibian citizen and studied in south Africa for four years. I graduated last year and my study permit expires on the 31st of January. I only returned to SA in February to discover that ABSA had frozen my account because my study permit had expired. When asking the lady whether I could close my account and get my money payed out in cash, she said that I could not, unless I apply for a new study/work/residence permit at Home affairs. I then asked her why had they not sent me an email/SMS and she said they sent me a letter in the post to the residence I had been staying in two years ago! (Even though when ever I call them I give them my present address, which they accept!?) Thus no notification was sent to me regarding the closing of my account.

Furthermore I do not understand why Absa is so willing to accept payments into my account (even after it had expired, mind you) and now refuses to give me my money.

This is very frustrating, as I am in SA trying to sort out my final things after graduation and now sit with a bank account with money in that I can not access.

Has anyone had experience on string your money back once the account has been frozen?