Post office shut for not paying its rent

Bryanston residents have been left frustrated after the post office in their area was closed.

Johannesburg - Bryanston residents have been left frustrated after the post office in their area was closed because it was in arrears.

The building was vacant and the doors were padlocked on Wednesday. Mail, documents and boxes were piled on the floor inside.

Many residents, unaware that the post office was closed, came to collect their mail, only to be turned away by the security guard, who told them to go to the Bryanston West branch.

A woman, who did want to be named, said the Bryanston West branch wasn't aware that the residents' mail was being delivered there.

“I have been told that I must collect my mail at Bryanston West post office, but when I went there, the staff said they didn’t know anything about it and that it hasn’t been delivered there,” she said.

“It is so frustrating to run from one post office to the next and not be able to collect my parcels.”

Her sentiments were echoed by other customers who were unable to get their post.

I won’t pay my postal fees if this is going to happen, an enraged man screamed, when he discovered the post office was closed.

Problems began about three months ago when the Bryanston post office was unable to pay its rent and the landlord shut the doors.

The South African Post Office has admitted that the closure of the branch was due to non-payment of rent, but spokesman Khulani Qoma said mail would be sent to the Bryanston West post office.

The SA Post Office was put under administration last year. In October this year, it paid its staff only 70 percent of their salaries and the balance six days later.

karishma.dipa@inl.co.za

The Star

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