Standard Bank charges on dormant saving account

I am very unhappy and dissatisfied by Standard banks practices. In fact, my experience with them has left a bitter taste in my mouth. As a student in 2017 I opened a student saver account (with zero monthly fees) with the hope that I would save from the little money my mother would sent me. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as I had planned and I ended not saving much. Fast forward to 2019 and I discover that my savings account is sitting at minus R3000 due to unpaid service fees which I do not understand where they came from because I was not using the account. I went to their branch in Rosebank and didn’t get much assistance. i was told that unless the amount is fully paid the account cannot be closed and the bank would keep charging me. I feel completely appalled by the banks conduct, business practice and lack of compassion. I don't know how from my R3500 salary will I be able to pay these ridiculous charges. This is wrong. Please intervene.