The government must end this strike post-haste

14 October 2014 - 02:02 By The Times Editorial
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Image: Supplied

The government must decide what must be done about the South African Post Office - and quickly. South Africans can no longer afford to keep pumping money into a public institution that lacks direction and purpose.

The strike by temporary Post Office workers has gone on for months and, as a result, post offices around the country have been forced to close.

Taxpayers have been let down by the government's inaction.

Just as with SA Airways, the government routinely excuses mediocrity, no matter the cost.

Why must we continue pumping millions into a public service that does not care if we get the service or not?

Do Post Office bosses realise the damage they are causing to small businesses that rely on prompt postal delivery?

It is about time we opened up the debate about the Post Office and followed the path taken by other countries, such as the UK, which cut its losses and privatised its post office.

The UK government realised that public funds were going down the drain and that Post Office managers were refusing to move with the times.

Now that it has been privatised, the UK Post Office is a profit-driven company that competes on the open market .

Our government should consider all possibilities before it is too late. If that means privatising the Post Office, then so be it.

Although privatisation might lead to job losses, the present situation hurts investment and damages our economy.

The Sunday Times reported at the weekend that the SA Post Office's auditors have cast doubt on the state-owned business's ability to survive, which is at odds with the directors' claim that it has sufficient funds to stay afloat.

With the continuing strike, a look at the management of the Post Office and its future is indicated.

Like the mail, a decision was needed yesterday.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now