Travelstart refund outstanding for a year

On the 24th of February 2022 we booked a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Unfortunately, we had to cancel as my leave was cancelled due to shortage of staff. I was informed that the penalty of R1318 per person would be deducted (we were 2) and the amount of R283.30 would be refunded. It is now almost February 2023 and we still have not received our refund. I think the penalty is a ******* as we cancelled well in advance of the flight.