Unfair Treatment and Embarrassment by a Consultant and now costing me on Debt Collectors

Firstly, I am a non-South African and has lived here since 2007. I have been a faithful and a pro ABSA Customer for years now since 2009/2010. I moved over from Savings to Cheque Account which wasnt an issue. I used to depend heavily on this account for future credit score if that would happen. I opened my account at Somerset West Branch Cape Town and never had issues not until I made a decision to change branches to Strand which was convinient at that time to do so.

Although my worst experience is not recent but I wish I brought it up when that incident occurred in December, 23rd 2022. I am a ZEP Permit Holder (Zimbabwe Exemption Permit). Everything has always been gazetted about us, and every consultant I visited between Somerset West and Strand between 2010 to 2022 understood that whenever our permits expired and we would renew again, there was always a delay on Home Affies side to process these, whilst we wait for any outcome, we would have receipts as proof that we app****, but still Home Affirs would send communication to banks to allow our accounts not to be frozen so that we have access to our banking services and funds, respectively.

However, in December 2021 after expiration of my ZEP permit, Home Affairs gave authority to banks to do a an automatic extension too, for example, if they extended for a year, as soon as that happens, I would go to my ABSA branch and double check if that was updated also on my account on their end. I would also go with the letter from Home Affairs with that annoumcement and they will be aware too. It was all good until this fateful day of 23 December 2022.

I stated the background so that you understand where I am coming from.

So our ZEP was extended for a year 2021 to 31st Dec 2022, However before expiration of that, another announcement was made for extension to 30th June 2023. It was around 30th Nov 2022 when that announcement occurred. I went confidently as moral to Strand Branch to just make sure that they could double. I had also got paid plys my bonus. I had plans with my money as I needed to save for new Year 2023. I met a lady Consultant, I believe that she was inexperienced in dealing and handling ZEP related issues as she told me that I needed to bring proof from VFS that I already app**** for another new permit. I showed her the letter of extensio and kindly explained to her that our permits were different and my account has mever been a problem when I showed that extension notification. She said she didnt even know why I was even lucky that my account is open as it should be closed. I told her the reason why it was active is that everything was done by the book by thise that assisted and as per my legal right in the country amd my right to my account. She brandished that printed letter I brought to her and instead of consulting someone most senior she had her whole lead with other consultants next to her also acting like I was pretty insane, I felt disrespected how they treated me as if I never was legal in the first place. She spoke in a manner like I was not legal and the other customers were there of course. She told me if I didnt take my money out now or before 31 December, 2022, my account will be frozen and will have no access to it. My kids witnessed this.

What was supposed to be a simple transactiom ended up being a biggest nightmare of my life. I walked out withdrew all my funds. I was forced to because the Comsultant told me that she could not access anything and its deemed closed. I may have to come back one day with my correct Permit to apply again or re-activate.

Why my nightmare, because I used this account for years for receiving my salary.

I had to think fast, Luckily I had Capitec Bank account I had opened for emergencies I never received any salaries from there. With same Extesion Letter, wemt to Capitec Bank, they had already automatically extended to June 2023 Home Affairs directive. I deposited all the momey there and had to change a lot of accounts and debit orders to start deducting from Capitec from Jan 2023 onwards.

What was different? Same issue different treatment. One treated me like an outcast and cared less (ABSA) and another made me feel at home.

WHY NOW? I am still using ZEP permit, done Waiver, and same directive simce Dec 2022 has been extended and extended...Didnt I have a right to have access to my account no matter where I come from? No, I dont think so .

Here is the Issue : Apart from denying me access to what mattered to me most amd inconviniencing me to chanhe a lot of things on my personal banking and my other accounts, I discovered that they handed over to a Debt Collector about the same Bank Account which I was denied access to and I wa told it was going to close. I left no debt and I seriously had no access to it. Why was it left then active and why is ABSA still trying to deny me my right to debt free life. They created not only one issue but this one too. I had so much going on in my life and I didnt find time to send this.Telk your Debt Collectors to leave me alone. I did nothing to deseve this. If someone has to pay for this it is definitely that Consultant at Strand ABSA. If eveey query is recorded and there are visuals to tjat footage of that day, they will definitely pick up how rude and unheloful she was and how she embarrased me not only with her other Consultants but with customers.

I need you to action this to remove me ofr this debt and tell Strauss Daly Attorneys to leave me alone. The moment you respond to Debt Collectors you immediately acknowledge the debt which never was in the first place, I was in that field before. For my peace and sanity, I am saying this out as we become victims of mistakes made by some ABSA staff.

Maybe this will be an eye opener to change the dynamics of theor banking services as far as dealing with people or clients who are non South Africans.