Shocked and disappointed by treatment I am CURRENTLY receiving from WesBank

Please see below a story of what so many South Africans go through due to the harassment and lack of empathy clients receive from Wesbank. Here is my story…

I received a phone call from one of their “agents”, Louis Lombard, who instructed me to pay the arrears I had on the car seeing that the accumulated arears were at R 7900. I did not understand where they got the amount from. When I asked the “agent” how the amount was compiled he was very abrupt and offered no further explanation. In the past I used to communicate with WesBank with any defaults in installments or a reduced instalment. But could not do so in this recent case seeing that I had recently buried a father at the age of 28 and was going through the worst emotional and financial situation, seeing that the burial cost was my responsibility.

I have tried to reach out numerous times this week to WesBank to make an arrangement but have been talking to very rude and abrupt people who kept on sending me through to their “agent”. The said agent has been very rude and keeps on saying when I am trying to explain my situation that I must not speak “nonsense”. I understand that it might be an occupational hazard for him, but I am still in shock that WesBank (a company owned by the prestigious FirstRand) would allow their clients to be treated like this.

I called the “agent”, Louis yesterday to notify him that I received my salary the 25th March (Monday) and that I paid R6500 the same day out of the R7900 he requested on Friday the 22nd of March. Mind you I am currently completing an internship (and was ALSO approved by WesBank knowing well I’m in an internship) and having to fork out R6500 was extremely difficult on an intern’s salary, seeing that I still have so much other debts to pay off after my Father’s death.

I have been trying to get hold of WesBank like a crazy person, but have been met on the other line by HUMAN BEINGS with no compassion or even the willingness just to listen. So I thought best I would state my plea or arrangement on this platform (maybe it might be seen by the compassionate eyes). So WesBank here is it: I was rudely confronted to pay R7900 on Friday the 22nd March, but could only pay R6500 the Monday when I received my salary. That means I was still in arears with R1400. My next instalment of R2352 would be due the 1st of April meaning that I would then be in arears with R3752. I have stated to your “agent” with my current arrears I would be in arears of R6104 by 25th April , of which would not be a problem to settle and I should continue my R2352 instalment as per normal.

I have been extremely disappointed and hurt by the treatment I am currently receiving from WesBank. Please let there be a solution to this problem. I do not want to play in the hands of the bad treatment I have been receiving by making threats. But please be aware that I will make use of any avenue (Twitter, Facebook, NCR and Bank Ombudman) in my possession. People cannot be treated like this guys!