FNB lost SARS VAT cheque deposit - We are fined due to their incompetence

First National Bank (FNB) Klerksdorp "lost" our business VAT cheque deposit that was made the end of January / start of February. We have now received a fine of nearly R5000 as well as interest due to the incompetence of First National Bank FNB. The cheque was deposited at FNB by our book keeper, the amount deducted from our Standard bank business account and then later reversed with description on our bank statement (CHQ not received - lost remittance).

We contacted Standard bank area manager Jeff regarding the matter who confirmed that the cheque was not lost by Standard bank but by FNB as Standard bank never received the cheque from FNB. Jeff has since been trying to assist us HOWEVER the problem seems to be a serious lack of any form of responsibility or acknowledgment of the problem from FNB. We have not even received any form of confirmation that they are working to resolve the problem after nearly a month.

FNB have taken absolutely no form of action from their side to assist in resolving this serious matter which is costing our business thousands of rands. We feel it is their responsibility to assist in resolving the matter with urgency as SARS continues to contact us regarding the fines and mounting interest. The fact that FNB have lost a very important cheque and have not made any effort to resolve the matter is absolutely disgraceful and reflects incredibly bad on the manner in which they treat businesses. It is absolutely dismal "support" from FNB.

After numerous emails from Standard bank to FNB as well as physical visits to the FNB branch by our book keeper as well as personal emails from myself to FNB we have still not received as much as a response since the end of January 2018. It is now 21 days later.........

The person at FNB whom it seems has simply ignored all efforts from ourselves and Standard bank to assist in resolving the matter is a lady by the name of Thelma ( ********** ) We have sent numerous emails to her without any form of response. Standard bank have also contacted her on the 12/02/2018 and have followed up again also with no response from her.

We would like FNB to take responsibility for firstly losing a very important cheque that has reflected very negatively on our business. Secondly we would like this to be resolved by FNB urgently before the end of February 2018 as the fine keeps escalating with interest. FNB should be held accountable to pay the SARS fine as well as any further interest as they lost the cheque and have been wasting time in resolving the matter.