Still no solution to post office’s long queues

PINETOWN resident, Lynne Cunningham expressed her shock at the lengthy queues outside the Pinetown Post Office.

Despite the issue being highlighted a number of times, the resident felt that nothing was being done to make the situation better for grant recipients.

ALSO READ: SA Post Office upgrades 1 270 sites, aims for faster service delivery

The concerned resident felt it was inhumane that people needed to line up in long queues for an entire day to collect their grant money.

“This sight is just unbearable. I drive past here everyday, in the mornings and afternoons. My heart feels for the people who have no choice but to wait as they need the money. For many of the recipients, the grant is their only means of putting food on the table,” she said.

The Special R350 Covid-19 Relief of Distress payment was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April last year as part of an economic relief package to assist those in need during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

Cunningham pointed out that there were no ablution facilities available for those in the queue. “What do they do when they need to use the toilet? There are no taps around here either, they cannot even have water. There are also old people in these queues.

“Our government needs to address this issue. It has been an ongoing problem for a long time. Surely the post office can make better provision for its customers?” she questioned.

ALSO READ: SA Post Office condemns queue marshals seeking payment

What was also a concern for the resident was that Covid-19 protocols were not being adhered to. This includes no social distancing as well as no masks being worn.

She added that what truly broke her heart was to see people queue for the entire day, only to be told they needed to return the following morning. “It is just not right,” said Cunningham.

The South African Post Office failed to comment by the time of going to print.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting