That is what scores of Benoni residents have been experiencing for months as the South African Post Office battles to sort out its mail delivery woes.
The problem is set to continue, with the Post Office telling the City Times that Benoni residents can expect further delays in mail delivery.
Senior manager of communications at the Post Office Bongani Diako said, on Friday, that the Post Office is in the process of dismissing workers.
“The SA Post Office is currently in the process of implementing dismissal processes, following a two-week unprotected industrial action by some casual and part-time employees within the East Rand and Tshwane,” he explained.
“This action is a culmination of a fair and due labour relations-based process to resolve the matter amicably; following a strike which has severely impacted our customers within, in particular, the Tshwane catchment area.”
According to the Post Office’s GCEO, Christopher Hlekane, they are converting 900 casual workers to fill full-time positions.
“All efforts to resolve the industrial action – which included negotiations, ultimatums and a Labour Court interdict – came to naught,” said Hlekane.
“Therefore, the SA Post Office could not conceive of any other alternative but to dismiss the striking employees.”
This might come as little consolation, as many people are still left without mail, despite comment from the Post Office that it should have been sorted out months ago.
On June 25, the Post Office refuted talk of a strike and said there was nothing to be concerned about.
On June 26, they affirmed there was no strike and told the City Times that mail delivery would be sorted out in early July.
The City Times published an article on July 14, in which the Post Office said it would sort out the mail woes, which were caused by a backlog of 1.3-million items, within three weeks.
A further two deadlines were set, for August 2 and August 18.
In a press release sent to the City Times on Friday, the Post Office did not say when mail delivery would be resolved.
According to Diako, continuity plans have been implemented to keep operations going and to minimise the impact of the strike on customers.
City Times readers are are furious at the delay.
Lisa Fawkes, an animals rights activist for Beauty Without Cruelty, last received mail on June 4 at her Brentwood Park post box.
She said the organisation is awaiting petitions from all over the world, which may not be submitted electronically.
She said the deadline to accept these was September 1.
Fawkes questions why she should pay for a service she is not receiving.
In an email to the City Times, Khaya Mnyanda said he is behind on his studies due to the strike.
People took to the Benoni City Times Facebook page to voice their displeasure.
Sandy Coventry: “I got mail yesterday… from March!”
Linda Beukes Lacey: “Amazing, the only post I receive is for e-tolls.”
Nellie Erasmus van Rensburg: “Been paying for my post box for no service the past three years, what do you mean, do I want a refund for months? And oh boy, pay for that post box we certainly do.”
Theuns van Aardt: “We have a postal system?”
Craig Rothman: “I got my b-day card six weeks later!”
Sean Ogilvie: “I had no mail for nearly three months. Useless! Yes a refund would be nice!”
