It was not due to "abusive GPs", there were some changes to the rules and system and so everyone got a second chance of sorts.

Multiple bans isn't "for no reason / because you've been banned a few times."

People who receive multiple bans fall into a few categories:

• They have been banned an obscene amount of times for the same offense, demonstrating no signs of improvement. The next time they break this same rule, they are given Multiple Bans.
• They have done something that broke another rule, but is extremely severe. (very rare)
• They have been avoiding bans.