New Germany residents gutted by abandoned post office
South African Post Office spokesperson Johan Kruger said they intend to obtain approval for selling the property as they have attempted various interventions with no success.
THE once-busy New Germany Post Office stands in ruins. The roof of the post office has been completely stripped off. What’s more, the post office, which was once an attraction in the New Germany CBD, assisting hundreds of people, has turned into an eyesore.
Residents said they are shocked about how the office building is slowly dilapidating as thieves strip it in broad daylight. “Each day, there is a part of the building that goes missing,” said New Germany CPF chairperson Lynn Robson.
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The inside of the post office, which has not been operating since the looting, and its passages, are filled with mounds of litter, dirty clothes, blankets and mattresses.
When visiting the post office, you have to hold your breath because of the unbearable smell.
“The smell of urine and other strange substances is worrying, especially given the building’s proximity to fast-food outlets,” said a concerned Robson.
Tony da Canha, New Germany CPF deputy chairperson, said that almost everything is gone. “The steel barricades were among the first materials to be stolen. It is a pity that although this has been reported to police and post office heads, nothing has been done – the situation is getting out of control. It seems like no one cares.
“Why should we allow our centre to deteriorate?”
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According to the residents, patrollers cleaned up the place and paid someone to monitor the place.
“Who is responsible to guard and clean post offices? Almost all the post offices have become a shelter for the homeless,” said the residents.
Another resident, Maddy Bouramis, said she has had a postbox in the New Germany offices for many years but was told that they need to collect their mail in Pinetown.
“Why are we forced to travel to other places when we had a big, beautiful post office? Besides, who wants to go to Pinetown – that place is terrible with high crime.
“Something needs to be done; the sight of the horrendous office is just ruining our town. What happens to the value of our houses?” asked Bouramis.
Johan Kruger, the South African Post Office spokesperson, said this outlet was indeed part of the serious looting in 2021.
“When the repairs started, homeless people started looting again until the situation became untenable. The Post Office attempted various interventions with SAPS and the community policing services but without success,” said Kruger.
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He added that the Post Office intends to obtain approval for the selling of the property.
“Customers of the New Germany Post Office have been advised to collect their mail from Pinetown Post Office,” he said.
Ward 21 PR councillor Riona Gokool said it is a sad state of affairs when all state-owned enterprises are dysfunctional.
“This could have easily been prevented if the ruling government had the will to deal with the unfolding crisis. We have many problems surrounding the degradation of the area: Homeless people, crime, failing infrastructure, drugs – the list goes on and on,” said Gokool.
She added that the residents of New Germany and eThekwini deserve better, and something needs to be done before the whole place is in shambles.
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