Resident tackles theft of parcel from post office

She said, “My older brother sent me an image of a parcel he had posted to me from the United Kingdom. Weeks passed and I received nothing from the post office.”

Watson then wrote to the head office requesting assistance in locating the missing parcel. After going through a number of consultants she finally received a notification that her parcel had been found.

“When I went to collect my parcel there was a notification that the parcel had been tampered with,” said Watson.

“It becomes blatantly apparent that someone helped themselves to a gift that was meant for me, leaving behind just the photographs that came with it. The post office is clearly aware that there is some wrongdoing… but the parcel was merely handed to me… without mention.”

When she returned to the post office to enquire, she said the manager repeatedly told her that his staff received the parcel just as she had collected it. Therefore there was no fault at the branch. She said the manager then requested that Watson give him an official statement and he would arrange an investigation.

“He assures me the culprit will be caught out and identified during the investigation,” said Watson.

“He said he is aware there is a problem with theft and missing mail, and that there is a process of investigation that will take place. I cannot say I felt an ounce of confidence that this process of investigation was going to go any further than that very desk or be taken seriously.

“If I had not pushed to recover my parcel, you can bet your bottom dollar it would have been binned.”

Johan Kruger from the South African Post Office communications division was notified about the incident and he sent Watson a CN08 form – a formal written inquiry by which the complainant asserts liability from the post office.

Kruger said he would only be able to comment on the incident once an investigation had taken place. No further comment or response had been received from Kruger since 22 January.