Vagrants take over New Germany post office
The New Germany Post Office grounds are an eyesore with mounds of litter strewn around it.
THE issue of vagrants at the New Germany Post Office has spiralled out of control since its closure after the rampant looting that affected KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
New Germany CPF’s chairman, Tony da Canha said this has been an ongoing issue for years. “The matter does not only affect the residents, but the businesses who have filed numerous complaints with the post office,” he said.
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The Highway Mail visited the site and noted there were piles of dirty clothes and bedding in each of the alcoves that house numerous post boxes. In addition to this, the site is covered in garbage.
“We have been calling the head office to beef up security. The place has practically become a breeding ground for crime and some of the incidents happen in broad daylight,” he said.
Da Canha stated that after the looting, the post office offered limited services and shut down three weeks ago after a break-in.
“Computers were stolen. This will also affect the pensioners who get paid their grant money at New Germany Post Office. This closure means they will have to travel to other post offices for their money, it’s so unfair on the elderly,” said da Canha.
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Another concerned resident, who owns a post box at the New Germany Post Office, Matthews Buthelezi said he has ‘just given up on that place’ as he said his numerous complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
“I am even scared to collect my post. Most times you will find letters discarded across the property. The strong stench of urine and faeces is just unbearable. That place is just so filthy,” he said.
When Buthelezi first moved to the New Germany area in 1991, he opened the post box. “I pay the annual fee, but now I feel the money just goes down the drain as the service is not the same,” he said.
Buthelezi mentioned he found it was safer to visit the post office at lunch time as, in the morning, post office customers would need to step over people to access their post boxes.
PR councillor seeks permanent solution
The DA PR Ward 21 councillor, Riona Gokool said she was willing to meet with the property owner and the manager of the post office to formulate a plan going forward.
“The issue of vagrants has been an ongoing problem for some time now,” she said.
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Gokool noted that it is the property owner’s responsibility to safeguard the place.
According to the ward councillor, the eThekwini Municipality has instituted a thorough programme to assist the homeless during the lockdown period and beyond.
“I will engage with the department and safer cities to see how best to solve this issue. When I liaised with Metro Police and SAPS, I was told that it is a difficult problem and a more holistic approach was needed, as putting the homeless in jail does not solve anything. When they are released they are back on the streets. What does Metro or SAPS charge them with?” asked Gokool.
The South African Post office failed to comment by the time of going to print.
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