AlgoaFM News
The South African Post Office says it's still in negotiations following the closure of its branch in 8th Avenue in Walmer, Gqeberha, after it was shut down due to an electricity payment issue.
While communication manager Johan Kruger says SAPO cannot commit to a date of when the issue will be resolved, AlgoaFm News has been told that staff members have had to search for parcels in the dark using a torchlight.
Nelson Mandela Bay resident Gary Dunn and his fiance have described the process of trying to collect essential wedding items via the post office as 'stressful' ahead of their wedding next month.
Dunn says they were both shocked when they arrived at a closed Walmer Post Office last month to collect an essential item needed for his fiance's wedding dress.
He says they eventually received two of their three parcels from overseas with the help of an employee who had to look for the packages using a torch.
"They said they will call us back when they find the parcel because they do not have any electricity. They do not have their systems running so they manually need to go through the parcels with a torch," said Dunn.
He added that his fiance is still missing a parcel ordered from China that can only be found using the computer system.
"So, we won't be able to access that parcel until they turn the power back on, but we do have a back up plan as we have no idea when that will happen," said Dunn.
"It was a pretty stressful process for both of us and it was only on our third visit to the Walmer Post Office that we were lucky enough to find someone who was sitting there in the dark who was also prepared to help us."
Another resident who went to the Walmer Post Office to collect a book she ordered was told that they cannot look for the parcel despite her having a tracking number.
Meanwhile, SAPO says it plans to offer a service to the public again very soon at Walmer Post office but that it cannot commit to a date at this time.
