Help with clearance of ***** red alert on my name.

Good Day

My name is Asanda Madubedube from khayelitsha, Cape Town.

On December 26th 2021, while I was at home with my cousin she recieved a call from her boyfriend asking if she knew of anyone banking with Absa because he needed an immediate deposit from his friend who's also banking with Absa. So, an Absa to Absa transfer would speed up the process. Unsuspecting, I then gave her my account number which she gave to the boyfriend as I was trying to help. On December 27th I recieved a notification on my phone of the amount of R2317.00 transferred into my account. She then told me the boyfriend said is gonna come to collect the money. As it was getting late and instead of him coming, I'd rather send the money via cash send. I cash send the whole amount of R2300.00, gave the pin number to go and withdraw the money at their nearest Absa ATM using the pin number.

After a while I discovered that my Absa card wasn't working as I couldn't draw nor transfer cash. I was working very tight shifts so I couldn't go to the bank to enquire immediately. I borrowed money just to keep going for a few days. More than a week later on the 10th January 2022, I went to Absa bank to check what was the problem , that's when I found out that my card was blocked, reported *****ulant transaction to the amount of R2317.00. I explained what happened and the Absa consultant advised me that in order to remove the blocking on my account and clear my name, I should go to the police and open a case as I was not aware that my account was being used to commit a crime (*****). Same day I went to the police station immediately and opened a case. Went back to the Absa to submit my statement and case number as they requested. On 20th January 2022, I recieved a call from Leslie an Absa ***** investigator who further asked me to give my statement with regards to what happened on my Absa account. I even informed her that I have opened a case against the person who's responsible for the money that went into my account. I didn't know that the money was *****. Then after she heard my story, she informed me that there is nothing they (Absa) can do to help me clear my name, and that they will close my account and list my name under the South African *****. I suppose it's the SAFPS. On 22nd January 2022, I went to the bank to find out more on how Absa can assist me with this situation - this time they told me to write a letter which I did - pleading to Absa not to blacklist my name. I thought Absa can help me to clear my name as their client because it is going to damage my reputation and future prospects of getting a job or any other advancement opportunities. This also means that I will never be considered wherever background checks are conducted as my name is blacklisted for *****. As a young woman who has goals in life and for them to hear my side of the story as I've mentioned that I was just helping a person not knowing the persons intensions was to do *****. I waited on Absa reply or feedback there wasn't any reply. On 12th May 2022, I got a letter of dissmisal from my new job, a few days after I signed a contract of employment. Even though I was accepted and successfully completed the Learnership/Training Programme, I failed the background checks which were unfortunately finalised after I signed appointment letter. I called Absa ***** division on the 13th, they told me to write an email again, I told them I've been writing and calling Absa ***** division but there's hasn't been any reply or assistance.

Same day I wrote an email and sent it to Absa attaching my dissmissal letter for Absa to see how this has affected me. The employer is still willing to reinstate me on the job as soon as my name is cleared. I still haven't heard from Absa, nor even referred or advised of a process to follow in order to clear my name of this ***** blacklist.

On the 18th of May the guy who's responsible for the money went to the police station at Lingelethu where I opened a case against him. He gave his side of the story and that he's responsible for the money that was transferred into my account.

I write to you for your advice and help on how to get my name cleared. I'm unemployed and cannot afford a lawyer to help me.