Burglars force closure of Durban post offfice

The East End Post Office in Stalwart Simelane Street is to shut its doors - allegedly because of two burglaries and the crises the South African Postal service is facing.

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Durban - A Durban businessman spoke fondly about a post office he regarded as being the best in the city after he heard of its impending closure he attributed to two burglaries.

The East End Post Office in Stalwart Simelane (Stanger) Street is to shut its doors - allegedly because of two burglaries and the crises the South African Postal service is facing.

Durban Surfing store owner, Mike Lamont, who trades and resides in Dr Pixley KaSeme (West) Street, said he had patronised this particular post office for more than a decade.

Lamont suggested that two burglaries in consecutive weeks could have been the final nail in the office’s coffin.

Geert Bataille, head of retail at the Post Office, said the first burglary occurred during the night of April 11/12, and the second overnight on April 17/18.

“No customer items were violated, but items stolen during the first breach included four computer hard drives and two monitors. No items were taken during the second breach. Damage, including those to the building and losses including the IT equipment, amount to R50 000,” he said.

However, Bataille preferred not to elaborate on how the thief or thieves had gained access. He felt it might compromise security in the future.

The East End post office provides a service to the Durban Central and Point areas.

“The SA Post Office continuously improves security measures at its outlets,” he said.

Police spokesman, Major Shooz Magudulela, confirmed the burglaries were reported at the Point police station.

He said among the items stolen were parcels and kitchen appliances. He could not say what the parcels contained. A case of burglary at a business premises was opened.

Magudulela said no arrest had been made at this stage.

Lamont, who viewed recognition certificates hanging behind the counter, said the post office had won the branch recognition and customer service excellence award two years in a row between 2013 and 2014.

He said they also won the staff individual recognition awards for going beyond the call of duty to assist customers in 2014. Bataille did not respond to the question of this post office’s achievements.

Bataille added that the post office was in rented accommodation and not the post office’s property. Although they had not closed yet, Bataille said employees would be deployed to other post offices in the vicinity.

Last month Telecommunications and Postal Services Minister Siyabonga Cwele, said 15 branches of the SA Post Office were permanently closed in 2015 because of the non-payment of rentals.

“The closures happened throughout the country and were precipitated by being evicted or locked out by the landlords,” Cwele stated in written replies to a series of parliamentary questions by DA MPs.

Daily News