Wesbank is a heartless cooperate greed machine

I am a small business owner. We trade in garden pots, furniture and accessories. Before the pandemic hit, we where doing all right, but then March 2020 hit. Over 50% of small business closed down permanently, but we are trying our utmost to survive. A key part of our industry is my 4 ton truck, financed through Wesbank. Winter time is our quite time, with less sales than in Summer time. But this year has been especially quiet.

I tried to make an arrangement with Wesbank, to catch up my arrears from 1 September 2021, but they refused. Now the lawyers are phoning, threatening with court. In this time, I feel this is a heatless move from their side. Only thinking about the money. I employ 7 people, if I lose my truck, 7 families is without a salary.

With the public supporting the Shop Local initiative, I feel Wesbank can do the same. Their Nett earnings in 2020 was R13.8 Billion, yes Billion. Where I Jump for joy if I am able to pay salaries of R70 000 at the end of the month.

So I am left with two options. 1. Wesbank option - catch up on my arrears, and lose my business. 2. Pay salaries at the end of the month, and lose my truck, and close down my business.

Why are they not willing to look at a 3rd option? As I said, heartless corporate greed. By giving my company some form of relief, I can continue to employ my people and help rebuild our economy.

On a side note, before lockdown, I met all my payment obligations, but that is not taken into consideration