Rage refusal to close account

On 31 July 2023 i got retrenched from my workplace. i received my retrenchment letter a week later and handed it to the store manager at Rage Kokstad. i was then told that i must at least pay R200 towards my account. i explained that i do not have an income and stated that i have account protection in the event of retrenchment , i now see that the account is badly in arrears . surely we not protected by consumer protection act???