The post office wants to take away your freedom of choice, says lawyer
Courier companies are unhappy about the South African Post Office’s attempts to block free market competition.
The South African Post Office (Sapo) has turned to the courts to prevent courier companies from delivering packages weighing 1kg and less.
“Sapo, by its own admission, has regressed so far that it cannot compete effectively against courier companies, which makes its court application irrational,” says Nortons Inc’s Anton Roets, who is representing PostNet in the matter.
“The matter originated in 2018 when Sapo turned to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), claiming it has the exclusive right to deliver small packages,” says Roets.
Icasa ruled in favour of Sapo, saying that PostNet contravened the Postal Services Act by transporting and delivering small packages.
“PostNet was ordered to stop this service. It went to court for a review and obtained an interdict, pending the review, to continue with the service until the matter was heard in court,” says Roets.
According to Roets, there are overlapping legal and practical sides to the issue.
“At the heart of the matter is the question of courier services and whether Sapo has a monopoly here.”
Roets disputes Sapo’s claim that it has the exclusive right to deliver small packages, saying that courier services fall outside its mandate.
“If Sapo’s interpretation of the act is correct, it will infringe on freedom of choice, expression, privacy and dignity,” says Roets
WATCH: Journalist Izak du Plessis chats to Roets about the matter:
Read original story on rekord.co.za
