‘Don’t pay to jump queue,’ post office tells Covid grant beneficiaries
The post office says it was aware of instances where self-appointed queue marshals were soliciting fees from customers for a spot in the front of the queue at its branches.
People going to the post office to collect their R350 Covid relief fund money shouldn’t pay for their spot in the queue, the SA Post Office says.
“No post office employee or other individuals have the right to ask beneficiaries to pay any fee to be serviced or to receive preferential treatment by jumping a queue,” it said in a recent statement.
Even though the post office admitted it had no jurisdiction over members of the public’s behaviour outside of its property, it encouraged customers to lay charges of bribery and corruption at their nearest police station over such illegal behaviour.
It said it was aware of instances where self-appointed queue marshals were soliciting fees from customers for a spot in the front of the queue at post office branches.
“Such practices are illegal,” the statement read.
It said customers were instructed not to pay any fees demanded by post office employees, queue marshals or anyone else demanding such a payment.
It advised beneficiaries to consider laying a charge of bribery and corruption at their nearest police station.
“There is close co-operation between our security and investigations unit and the SAPS. Formal charges will help put a stop to this opportunistic and unethical behaviour.
“Anybody who becomes aware of a crime committed by a post office employee should report it to the post office’s toll-free crime-buster hotline on 0800 020 070.”
The SA Post Office said the caller had the option of remaining anonymous. All calls would be followed up.
It also reminded recipients of the Covid-19 relief fund, that they did not have to visit their local post office every month, as they could choose to have their grant paid into a Postbank account and use their Postbank card to access the grant.
It urged recipients to speak to their local post office branch to arrange this.
R350 SRD WEEKLY PAYMENT DATES
(as per ID last 3 digits)
30 AUGUST: 084 & 089
31 AUGUST: 080 & 085
01 SEPTEMBER: 081 & 086
02 SEPTEMBER: NO PAYMENT
03 SEPTEMBER: NO PAYMENT— SA Post Office (@PostofficeSa) August 27, 2021
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