***** division locks accounts and doesn't contact us back

Beginning two days ago, a ********** transaction went through and immediately the ***** division was contacted by us. Funnily / oddly enough, the amount was exactly the maximum (to the nearest R10), indicating the person had complete viewability and access to the account (wonder where this originated?? Well, I think I know...perhaps internal???).

Then, ***** division locked all accounts linked (business as well as personal) and locked all cards. Both accounts locked now and NO cards working, we still need access to money in the accounts. We can't even change passwords or sort out through online banking. So, my question is, "What do you do when your bank tells you that the accounts are under investigation, will take 3 - 7 working days and sorry, you don't have access to your money for the next week??" The logic is completely lacking....

This morning at 08:15 we logged a call for Standard Bank to contact us to open access for us (rightful owners of the account) and waited and waited...no call back. We then spent 57 minutes and eventually dropped the call due to a school function. Then, later we eventually managed to get through on another of the "***** division's" numbers and a lady was very agreeable and said she would phone back in a few minutes - still waiting. We then filled out a complaint form from the ***** page of the website and submitted - STILL WAITING!!!!

We STILL do not have any access to our accounts. Wait for it...then an email comes in - "we will attend to your query, but don't work over weekends and public holidays". It is Friday, 13 September at 16:20. Not a call today from Standard Bank and zero service.

Once sorted, we will be moving to another bank - perhaps a bank that cares....Capitec or one of the digital banks.