My shares was "repatriated"

I contacted Computershare in October 2020 to advise them that my father died many years ago, but that I only found out that he had shares a week ago. Like last week in September. They said yes the shares are still available and the dividends will be paid into my account etc. I just need to do the necessary paperwork. At that stage I was sailing so I said I'd do it when I got back.

On 14 December 2020 I contacted them to iniate the process and they send me an email to tell me what I'll need to do, the documents I'll require etc. My granny recently died (we found the shares info among her old documents) and as she had my dad's original death certificate, we first had to finish sorting out her stuff. I asked if I could get back to them in Jan or Feb. And yes they said it's fine.

We couldn't find the original letter or executorship so they informed me that I'll need to apply for a new one. I contacted the Master of the High Court but I was struggling to get hold of someone that could actually assist me.

When I eventually did, they told me they were moving buildings etc and that they will only be able to look for it the next week and it's all manual etc etc. Either way. I contacted Computershare and explained to them and they said it's fine.

Then he had to post it to me (in in Cape Town, he's in Bloemfontein). Apparantly it went missing etc etc. I ended up only getting the documents in October. On the 29th of October I confirmed with Computershare that I eventually got the documents from the MOH and that I'll get all the rest of the stuff together and then go to the bank to apply for a Estate Late Account. They told me it's fine and I just need to send them the documents once it's complete.

I send it to them in March of this year. Obviously they also explained to me, the previous time, that it might take a while due to Covid lockdown etc. Same reason it took long at the MOH. Same reason why it couldn't get the bank account as soon as I would have liked to. I also had Covid twice, once very very bad and was out of action for a quite a while.

On 01 April they send me an email confirming that they received the documents and that they acknowledge change of address etc. Good.

The dividents was paid into my account (although I still don't have access to it) but when I phoned to tell them that I want to sell the shares, they told me it was "repatriated" in November 2021 and that I forfeited them.

Now firstly. Nowhere in any of our discussions or communication did they tell me that there is a cut of date or something like that. When I phoned the first time they confirmed that yes, the shares are there, and yes, they will be transferred to me if the paperwork is done etc.

I spoke to them SEVERAL times and not once did they mention anything about me having to do this before a certain date.

I asked the lady on the phone today why nobody told me. Her exact words; "I don't know why they didn't tell you but the shares are gone and it's highly unlikely that you'll get it back."

This is not right. If they ever just mentioned a single thing about "it has to be done by a certain date or it will be forfeited" then I could have acted accordingly.

I am definately not going to leave it there.

I then app**** for an original copy of the letter they had on file.