When a post office in the heart of the busy Roodepoort business hub is failing to deliver basic services, one can only ponder about the effect of such poor customer service in the disadvantaged and rural areas.
After receiving a large number of calls from residents claiming that they had been told by employees at the Florida and Roodepoort Post Offices that all mail services had ceased, the Record embarked on its own investigation.
On April 28 the Record journalist made a trip to the Roodepoort Post Office in an attempt to get clarity on the claims residents had made.
At the post office’s entrance, an employee was asked about mail services and he explained that the Post Office had no vehicles to deliver post and the services consequently had been suspended.
This response had been dished out to many residents who visit this post office to use its mail services.
The Record contacted Johan Kruger from the SA Post Office’s Communications Division to give clarity as to why the two post offices would claim that postal services had been suspended, and if possible to send a short statement confirming whether all services were currently running. He responded as follows.
“Thank you for giving the Post Office the opportunity to comment. We can confirm that postal services in the Florida and Roodepoort areas are running normally.
“The SA Post Office switched to a different provider for delivery vehicles during March and April, which caused delays in the delivery of mail.
“The delivery vehicles have now been received, and there is a campaign underway to deliver all items affected.
“This includes administrative and managerial employees rolling up their sleeves to help with processing of mail.
“Your readers will soon see a marked improvement, one which the Post Office plans to keep up,” responded Kruger.
However on Wednesday, June 8 the Record journalist paid the Roodepoort Post Office yet another visit and was shocked to be given the same response as back in April.
This time another employee explained that mail services were not functional and it was up to the customers’ willingness to risk the chances of their mail not being delivered.
