Postbank was investigating why it could not refund Elias Zondi his R20000 fraudulently withdrawn from his account in December last year.

Postbank was investigating why it could not refund Elias Zondi his R20000 fraudulently withdrawn from his account in December last year.

Zondi, a taxi driver, said he saved R500 every month and deposited it in his Postbank account.

He wanted to buy a second-hand vehicle, he said.

He later decided to build a house because he wanted to start a family, he said.

"I did not withdraw a cent until November last year when I withdrew R10000 to use for building my house," said Zondi.

The house is still not complete.

His taxi was involved in an accident and needs repairs, Zondi said.

He said the taxi he had damaged belonged to his brother. Zondi had to repair it from his own pocket as it was not insured.

"I almost fainted when I discovered that my account had been wiped clean," said Zondi.

He claimed his Postbank branch did not give him any proof of how, where and when money was withdrawn from his account.

He laid a fraud charge and supplied Postbank with a case number.

But when he returned, he said, the bank told him he could not be refunded as the fraudster had used his card. He said Postbank later agreed to investigate.

"I have never lost my card and each time I make a withdrawal I go inside the bank and produce my ID. Postbank told me my money was safe and would not be withdrawn without my ID when they asked me to save with them.

"I trusted them, but they betrayed me when they paid it to a thug," said Zondi.

Postbank has been investigating his complaint for the last nine months and has still not given Zondi a positive update, he claimed.

Johan Kruger of Postbank undertook to investigate Zondi's complaint.