Standard Bank Vehicle Finance told my debt counsellor that I should pay an upfront fee inorder for their department to accept my debt review application- I am shocked & disappointed at their behaviour

I recently lodged a complaint regarding how the Vehicle department is dragging my case and making it difficult for my debt counsellor to assist me to finalize payment arrangement.

After weeks of explaining and proving that I have recently been retrenched and the credit life insurance rejected.

They refuse to give me cooling off time whilst I look for employment or reduce my installment so I can ask Family and friends to assist, a reasonable amount would make it easier for them to assist until I find employment.

Instead, according to my debt counsellor called today to inform me that Standard Bank Vehicle Finance is insisting I pay R641 if I want them to accept my application for debt review.

I was shocked.

How can they ask me to pay thi amount upfront when I have clearly explained my financial situation and gone through such lengths of putting myself under debt review if I had this kind of money to pay upfront?

Is this even legal?