Chaytoo went to the Standard Bank at the Trade Route Mall to verify a business account that she opened at the bank on the 29th November 2012. After being asked to produce her identity document and proof of residence by a consultant named Sylvia, the consultant walked away and handed Chaytoo’s documents to Zaheeda Khan, a fellow consultant.
According to Chaytoo, Khan allegedly asked her, “How come you got this I.D. but you are using two names. You know you are wearing a purdah (face veil) and everything like this, so maybe you are part of a syndicate. I suspect you, that’s why I closed the account.” Chaytoo said she was asked to unveil herself and even this did not convince the consultants of her identity.
“You can tell me the truth or who you know, who sent you here. So I told her everything, what I know. And I said nobody sent me here. I came with my own motives to open up a business account thinking I will get a bank overdraft, “added Chaytoo
Chaytoo says that Khan was adamant she was not telling her the truth; she was sent by someone and told her to wait for the police to be summoned. Chaytoo’s pleas fell on deaf ears. She said she was interrogated for over an hour by the consultants and management of the bank before the arrival of the police.
According to Bash Hoosein, Chaytoo was also insulted by Khan. “Because she is a Hindu and she embraced Islam and she was insulted by her. She said why are you wearing a purdah (face veil) but you are a Hindu?” added Hoosein
When the police arrived, Chaytoo was allegedly pointed out by Khan and was arrested by Constable Ngema and charged with fraud and taken to the Lenasia Police station. At the police station, Bash Hoosein arranged for a lawyer Macdonald Khumalo to summon a prosecutor and arrange for bail for Chaytoo.
According Hussein, the prosecutor could not find any evidence nor could they locate the case dockets against Chaytoo, therefore bail could not be posted for her. “Upon investigation they linked the case up to somebody else’s case (Case No. 822/11/2012) and Colonel Kubeka said they could not release her because there are no dockets at the police station and the docket is at court, “ added Hoosein. This resulted in Chaytoo spending the night in the holding cell at Lenasia Police station.
Hoosein said they were shoved around from pillar to post like “headless chickens” on the day of the arrest and were told to go to the police station the following morning at 8am to resolve the matter.
Hoosein said the following morning he called the bank to lodge a complaint. “I phoned the bank, the call centre of the bank. The legal department called us in and I advised the bank to come to the police station. And the bank is sending me the bank manager from the bank and one of the representatives from the legal department added Hoosein.”
“Before the bank could come in, we’ve spoken to the commander of the police station (Colonel Nazoo) and she’s (Chaytoo) released freely, with no bail and no charges against her whatsoever, “said Hoosein.
Radio Islam spoke to Denise from Standard Bank’s legal department who denied the bank executed the charges and arrest warrant for Chaytoo. When asked to comment by Radio Islam, Denise said that she could not comment and we should lodge a complaint with Standard Bank Head Office.
Meanwhile Chaitoo’s husband Ateequrehman Ansaari is furious and said they will be initiating legal action against Standard Bank. Attempts to get a comment from Sylvia and Zaheeda Khan from Standard Bank proved unsuccessful.
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