Residents and businesses alike have been hit badly.
E-toll billing also faces a stumbling block, as the strike will probably delay the delivery of accounts and summonses to motorists.
Residents interviewed by the City Times said they have not received post in two weeks.
Anke Borman, who found nothing when she went to check for post at the Northmead Square, raised the issue of e-toll billing.
“The cut-off date for discounts will be over by the time people receive post and I don’t know how Sanral is going to deal with this,” said Borman.
She was, however, concerned that when the post is finally delivered it will contain a “pile” from Sanral.
Borman also said that the lack of post is affecting their Northmead-based small business.
“We deal a lot with CCMA clients and we need to send registered mail for CCMA cases,” she added, explaining that the strike will also contribute to the backlog at the CCMA, as other parties might not pitch, due to fact that they didn’t receive mail, which normally takes 10 days.
Steve Dalgety, of Kempton Park, also found nothing in his post box, at the Square, for two weeks.
“I have been coming here from Kempton Park for the last two weeks and there’s nothing,” he said.
He also said people can’t get postal orders.
In the past, the postal strike affected residents so badly that some had their electricity supply cut off due to non-payment after not receiving their monthly bills.
This time, the Ekurhuleni Metro has already warned that the non-receipt of a statement does not exempt anyone from the liability to pay such an account.
Spokesman Themba Radebe said: “The delayed delivery of printed municipal account statements is not reason enough for customers not to pay their accounts, or to pay them late.
“We are aware of the strike by post office workers; however, it was in view of circumstances like these, amongst others, that the municipality introduced numerous options, which serve to make accessibility of statements and payments easy. “
Residents are encouraged to pay similar amounts to the previous month’s statements should they not have received their current statements.
Those who are not receiving their statements by post or summary statements by SMS are encouraged to visit their Customer Care Centres to update their contact details.
Residents are also encouraged to register on www.e-siyakhokha.co.za, to be able to view their statements online.
The South African Post Office’s Lungile Lose said mail will start going out “soon” in the East Rand areas.
“We are currently negotiating with striking workers at the CCMA and we are very close to a resolution,” said Lose.
He said the strike is by part time workers who are lobbying for full time positions.
