Unconscionable Practices by Absa Bank

We are devastated by Absa bank practices and will be taking this unfair, unconscionable behavior to the banking ombudsman as well as the NCR. We were on debt review of which Absa Vehicle finance was included in. We have finally achieved our dream of having settled all our accounts, including having settled one of our cars under finance also with Absa and now our last vehicle to be settled (13 months to go). As of 28 September 2024 we are in advance of R104 on our remaining vehicle account. As of end October of 2024, we pay our normal installment which was increased from R4000 to R4950 about 4 months ago- when enquiring advised it was due to inflation. Now in November 2024 we are in arrears R2243. We phone absa (keep getting cut off..then hold on for 24mins and 15secs, then the call gets cut. Phone again and again...finally we are told that our account has been restructured by the restructure department. Try to get hold of the restructure department...I am told they are an administrative so I have to go through some other department, can't even remember now. Anyhow I get through to collections department after calling again and am advised that the installment for November has been increased to +- R7213 and in December (which is now) the installment will be increased to R7731 and in April 2025 the installment will be increased to +- R10534..can't remember exact figure but around there. Now we are constantly getting messages that our vehicle is in arrears, because without even the courtesy of a call our installment has been increased by almost 50% and in April will be increased by 100%...Why are we being penalized for (a) finally being debt free - clearance certificate issued in October (Absa notified in October and instalment goes up 50% in November - coincidence?..I think not, (b) being up to date with remaining vehicle and (c) trying to maintain clear, clear credit records and get our life back on track. This is completely unfair and an unconscionable practice for a bank to effect, without consideration.