Unfair treatment & ************** at Absa Northgate Mall Branch

I am extremely disappointed by the poor and unfair treatment I received at the ABSA Bank Northgate Mall branch in Randburg.

I visited the branch to open a business account and was assisted by a business banker named Lebohang. I submitted all required company documents, my passport, and my ZEP business permit. After taking my documents, she said she would get back to me. Later, she contacted me and stated that ZEP permits are expired, completely disregarding the official announcement by the Minister of Home Affairs, which extended the validity of all ZEP permits until 28 May 2027.

I even informed her that I had already app**** for the ZEP waiver permit and provided my VFS receipt as proof, but she still refused to acknowledge the permit’s validity.

It is unacceptable for a major financial institution like ABSA to ignore official government extensions and make its own rules about valid immigration documents. This not only causes unnecessary frustration but also raises serious concerns about ************** and unequal treatment of clients based on nationality or documentation type.

I urge ABSA Head Office to investigate this incident urgently, clarify their policy on ZEP and waiver permits, and ensure that clients are treated with fairness, respect, and compliance with South African law.