Std Bank refuses to close a my empty Savings account!

I have been trying for 5 years to have my Standard Bank savings account closed. I have called profusely. I have emailed. And I always get the answer: "Go to ur nearest branch." There is however no branch here in New Zealand. I have lived in New Zealand since 2018, and have since then tried to close my Standard Bank account. - I had a problem with my phone app and had limited use. - I leaned then towards my other two other SA banks and turned out happy with them. I still get billed for the sms's to a non-existent SA phone. I still get billed for email fees. I still get billed for the monthly costs. And I really would like to just close the account!! But every time I called the bank over the past 5 years, they simply say: "You must go to your nearest branch". An impossibility, for I have not left New Zealand since July 2018, and it would not make sense to fly back just to do that. It leaves this horrible taste of frustration in my mouth. Can they simply just close this silly pesky empty account!!??? So I can get on with my life and not have this millstone hanging around my neck? -