Inaction from FNB on ***** case

My small business was paid for legitimate (swimming pool water storage) services by a THIRD party customer (the direct customer is the Contractor who did the work on the swimming pool, who passed my invoice on to his customer, the third party customer, for payment).

Apparently that third party committed some kind of *****, and the funds from which my business was paid, is considered to be 'the proceeds of *****'.

As a result of me receiving payment from this person, my business bank account with FNB has had a '***** hold' placed on it, and I am unable to access any of the funds in the account, pending resolution of the matter.

Let it be known that I had NO pre-existing association or relationship to the third party customer or his activities. I merely received payment from him, for legitimate services that were invoiced for and rendered.

I took up the matter with the FNB ***** Dept as soon as I became aware of it. The person who 'assisted' me was dismissive and the tone of the call was clearly that I was the guilty party (there should hopefully be recordings available of the conversation that could be referred to). My call was cut by FNB in the middle of my sentence (once again, refer to the recording - hopefully such exists).

I went into the branch to try and resolve the matter. The Cresta branch staff informed me that they were unable to assist me, and that I should contact the ***** Dept directly. I did this, and this time was give the name of the 'investigating officer', Mr Tshegofatso S. ('Mr S.') who would contact me that same day, to resolve the matter. My bank account remained frozen.

I was also informed that the matter started with Nedbank reporting me for ***** (really?????) as I received payment from this allegedly *****ulent person.

The next day, still no contact from Mr S., so I called in to the ***** Dept again. Again the operator assured me that Mr S. will contact me THE SAME DAY. I was also given his e-mail address, as 'he does not accept calls'.

I subsequently e-mailed Mr S. at the given address, but no response.

It is now Day 4, and still NO response from FNB or Mr S., other than silence.

My account remains frozen, though I am innocent of any wrongdoing. I cannot pay my suppliers (even though I have funds in the account to do that). My people's wages could not be paid yesterday (Friday) - they are sitting at home now, with their families, and no money to feed them. I cannot even put fuel in my vehicles.

My complaint is not that the situation exists, as such, but with FNB's negligence to contact me and address the matter, while I am totally innocent (I INVITE FNB to prove otherwise?).

I have banked with FNB for decades, ALL my accounts are with them, I have no other accounts with any other banks. I have always considered FNB to be my ally. But not any more. I now feel alienated from them, being made out to be guilty (and treated as such) for something I am totally innocent of. My life, and those of my employees, who did not receive their weekly wages, have been materially (negatively) impacted by this.

I am not sure what FNB's stance is to small white owned businesses, and I am even less sure how one is supposed to build a nation and an economy like this.

I am now considering going to social media (I am a social media marketer, and have broad skill and experience in this - one of my groups of influence (I am the owner and Admin of the group) has just over 51,000 members. And that's just one) as well as the NFOSA. People should know about this.