Barred to close cheque account but accumulates monthly service fees and sent for collections

I opened a cheque account with ABSA in Nov/ Dec 2014. Account number ***in Centurion mall. In September 2015 i lost my job thus couldn't service my account.

In December 2015, I went to the Centurion mall branch, and spoke to a guy by the name Enoch Moagi (customer services consultant). I was informing him of my unemployment and requesting to close my bank account so as not to accumulate monthly service fees of +-R445). To my dismay, he informed me that the account wouldn't be closed because it was in arrears but wouldn't be allowed to use it because it was handed over.

Since then I've been getting calls and email from collection agents LGR attorneys, in connection with my cheque account debt. And I've been consistent with them that i would not honour this debt because i don't owe ABSA. It's monthly service fees (R445) and unauthorised Dr Balance of R100 that I'm alleged to owe.

On or about 01 May 2019 they manually debited my savings account with an amount of R3 000 to pay for cheque account debt. I went to see my private banker, Violet Phahlane, in Menlyn Maine branch, who was first surprised like myself that I'd be charged for service fees on cheque account that is supposed closed because I can't utilise it.

After she called the Collections/Legal dept she was signing a different tune that she wasn't aware of the changes on monthly service fees. I left unimpressed.

To date I am owing ABSA almost R8 000 of monthly service fees on account I wanted to close and was barred to close and or use. I'm receiving calls and FINAL letters of demand from their attorneys. My credit rating has been adversely impacted by ABSA.

I'm very annoyed and feel short changed.