WHY WE CAN’T POST THE MAJLIS
The following ridiculous scenario explaining the collapse of the postal system in South Africa explains why we are unable to post The Majlis:
Main Nelson Mandela Bay post office closed after sheriff seizes equipment
Service halted due to dispute over unpaid rent at shut Rink Street branch
RENTAL SHOWDOWN: The assets of the main post office were seized by the sheriff on Friday after the SOE failed to pay rent for another of its branches
Image: EUGENE COETZEE
Post office users watched with bemusement and annoyance as officials from the sheriff’s office seized equipment at the main branch in Govan Mbeki on Friday forcing the suspension of operations.
Two bakkie loads worth of computer monitors and printing equipment were attached and confiscated after the ailing state-owned entity allegedly failed to meet its rental obligations for the closed Rink Street branch in Central.
Faced with a “closed until further notice” note at the door, residents trying to access postal services were forced to make their way to other branches.
Loyiso Twani turned away with unposted letters on hand.
“I am from the CCMA and I was here to post letters to respondents,” Twani said.
The seizure is the latest setback for the South African Post Office (Sapo) which has battled to keep branches open. It last posted a profit in 2004.
Central Hill, The Bridge, Greenacres Mall, Motherwell and other branches all closed after Sapo failed to keep up with its leases.
Booysen Park resident and motorist Papama Mbaba was left stupefied as he watched the equipment being loaded on the bakkie.
Mbaba, who was trying to update the registration of his car, had gone to Govan Mbeki after being informed that the Newton Park branch no longer did licensing.
“What must I do now,” Mbaba asked.
“We pay our taxes so that places like the post office can work. No-one is telling us what is going on and what to do.”
The Newton Park branch was burgled last week with perpetrators making off with computers used to access the vehicle licensing system.
Before the burglary, the branch was one of seven in the metro doing licensing — Linton Grange, Summerstrand, Sidwell, Kariega, Despatch and the main branch in Govan Mbeki.
The seizure comes as motor dealers in Gqeberha battle to get registrations processed with post offices regularly either running out of forms or ink to print licence disks.
The main post office is the only one that handles bulk renewals and registrations.
Also turned back at the door was Riaan Vermeulen, an Invictus Logistics employee.
He said he had gone to pick up the company’s vehicle registrations.
“We are waiting for our bulk licences,” he said.
“All the paperwork is there. We are just waiting for the licences to come through.
“The whole process usually takes a month. I was just supposed to pick them up this morning but now it’s closed.
“I do not think they can print anything because all their printers are out here. We will just wait and see.”
Last month, the Ibhayi Small Business Chamber organised a meeting between Sapo and dealers to hash out possible solutions for the delays in registrations.
Chamber chair Pieter Kitshoff said it was unfortunate that vital equipment had been used as a bargaining chip.
“We are concerned by the fact that these machines that are vital to the economy of Nelson Mandela Bay could be used as a bargaining chip,” Kitshoff said.
“Without a bulk licensing desk, the delivery of vehicles is hampered and stopped; this includes commercial vehicles.
“Motor dealers already feel the financial constraints due to a 30-day backlog.”
Haval and GWM Port Elizabeth principal dealer Frikkie Venter said since the meeting there had been some improvement in clearing the backlog.
According to Charles Nelson who represents the creditor who went after the post office, the state-owned entity owed their client R400,000.
The amount has been in arrears for months despite Sapo being evicted from the premises.
At the time of print, questions sent to Sapo spokesperson Johan Kruger via email had not been answered.
https://www.heraldlive.co.za/news/2023-04-03-main-nelson-mandela-bay-post-office-closed-after-sheriff-seizes-equipment/
11 Ramadhaan 1444 – 3 April 2023