EDITOR – The Carte Blanche programme aired on M-Net on 31 January refers.
In this programme, Carte Blanche interviewed the new CEO of the Post Office and the main theme of the interview was how the new CEO is going to restore the public’s faith in the Post Office.
I strongly suggest that the new CEO starts with the customer service provided (or not provided) by the staff at the Umbogintwini Post Office.
In 2015 I went to renew the licence for my wife’s car. After waiting for a long time for the car dealer in front of to finish sorting out his pile of licences, I got to the counter only to be told by the gentleman that he is now going on lunch. I returned an hour later and got served. The other two women who appeared to be doing very little did not seem to be a suitable replacement for the man going on lunch.
Later in 2015 I had to renew my own car license and got to the Umbogintwini Post Office at 4.15pm, knowing that the Post Office closes at 5pm. Once again I was behind a car dealer with a heap of licences. When the person in front of me got to the counter at about 4.30pm, the same gentleman loudly announced that the person in front of me was the last person to be helped for the day, this despite the long queue behind me and despite the fact that the Post Office only closes at 5pm, 30 minutes later.
When I got to the counter and pointed out these facts to the Post Office official, he simply ignored me and started speaking loudly in Zulu to the other two women and then walked away from the counter. One of the other women then got up and helped us in the queue.
Recently I purchased a Lotto ticket at the Umbogintwini Post Office, paid, and received a ticket for a lot less than I had paid for. Only when I pointed this out to the woman did she give me the correct Lotto ticket.
The service at the Umbogintwini Post Office is shocking and I only go there when I have no other choice. It is time that the personnel there realise they work for the public and are paid by the public, and that the Post Office is not an institution that provides sheltered employment for people.
The saying ‘shape up, or ship out’ is applicable to the personnel working at the Umbogintwini Post Office.
STEVE THE WONDERER