Post office operations resume

As the SA Post Office (SAPO) opens more of its services, Vryheid Post Office still has some restrictions. People will be able to collect parcels, but will not be able to post parcels as yet.
SAPO issued a statement to alert the general public that as from May 25, it will be implementing full services permitted under the Risk Adjusted Regulations in line with Covid-19 level 4 lockdown.
According to SAPO, mail was starting to flow again, as sorting facilities, transport and branches of the SA Post Office have been granted permission to operate under the provisions of lockdown level 4. The majority of post office branches were open for business and a phased approach was adopted for the re-opening of the remaining branches, as soon as measures to ensure their compliance with the regulations have been implemented. Sorting facilities nationally, as well as transport connections, are operational again.
“The total branch network available as of May 25 will be 1017 branches nationwide, with operations in the remainder of our branch network brought online in a phased approach as and when we complete implementing measures to ensure that we comply with regulations promulgated to combat the spread of the virus. We envisage that all our branches will be fully operational by June 1, 2020,” said SAPO Acting CEO Ivumile Nongogo.
SAPO has deployed a systemised restricted hours shift system in the sorting centres in order to comply with the regulations, restricting the number of employees allowed on the premises at any one time to observe social distancing requirements.

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Therefore, while the shifts have been introduced to maximise production as well as adherence to the regulations, operations are not currently running at optimal level and this will impact on delivery turnaround times of parcels, including items that accumulated prior to the lockdown.
“Indications are that we should deliver the accumulated items that were held up during lockdown within the next three weeks. We appeal to our customers for their patience, as we are navigating these unchartered times,” said Nongogo.
Customers can check the status of their items using the post office’s tracking service: https://www.postoffice.co.za/Tools/tracktrace.html.
Customer contact points that were previously suspended during level 5 lockdown, including the Customer Service Desk (0860-111-502), will resume.
During level 4 lockdown, services available at post offices nationwide include account payment, collection and delivery of parcels, posting of parcels, and certifying documents. As cargo flights to and from other countries are still scarce, SAPO is at the moment able to move mail and parcels to and from Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Thailand and China. SAPO courier services, as well as the delivery of legal documents via DOCEX, are also available. Financial services – including money transfer and Postbank transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, card replacements and general enquiries – can be performed.
The renewal of motor vehicle licences is earmarked to resume on June 1. Services related to SASSA social grant payments, statements and balance enquiries (including PIN and card replacement) continue to be available. To reduce the cost burden for SASSA beneficiaries and to eliminate unnecessary social contact, SAPO has also introduced a USSD service to allow SASSA beneficiaries to check their account balance from their cell-phones.
To perform this transaction at a cost of 60c, which is below the normal bank interchange balance enquiry at an ATM, a SASSA social grant beneficiary must follow the following easy steps on their cell-phone: Dial *120*3210# and press enter. Then put in your ID number and press enter again to see the account balance.
SAPO says it is also piloting a project to roll out cashless ATMs as additional transacting points of access for communities that normally would require travel to access financial services. The beneficiaries will be able to access the ATMs from selected small traders located in their communities. Local traders, including especially spaza shops that are interested in offering this service, should send an email to cashless@postoffice.co.za

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