Minister urges calm over SAPO provisional liquidation
The future of the South African Post Office is uncertain at this time but until told differently, services continue to run normally.
The South African Post Office (Sapo) has been placed under provisional liquidation.
This follows a creditor of the state-owned entity approaching the High Court of Pretoria to recover owed rental income.
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele said, “I appeal to members of society, Sapo’s clients, creditors and employees to exercise absolute calm and restraint as we continue to engage critical stakeholders in dealing with the placement of Sapo on provisional liquidation.”
Millions of people use the various services the post office provides, including the issuing of Sassa grants, postal services, and renewing of vehicle licences.
Local resident Omphile Gumbi said, “It’s a bad situation, because people might lose their jobs if it gets closed, and it’s going to be tough for them to feed their families and loved ones.”
Gungubele said, “Sapo has developed an exciting and bankable strategy to transform the entity into a profitable business responding to the demands of this age and time. Granted an opportunity and with the required support, Sapo will safely navigate the situation it is currently going through, and become the desired digital services platform.”
Sapo spokesperson Suzie Khumalo, when approached for comment about how this move might affect residents said, “Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, we are unable to respond to your inquiries, but please note that services at the post office continue as normal.”
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