Post office drags feet for 7 months on new boxes for Ballito

Residents of Ballito can expect a longer wait for their post boxes to be installed as funding issues at the KwaZulu-Natal Post Office continue to cause delays.

It has been more than 7 months since the Post Office in Ballito Village was closed on August 14 and there are still no post boxes available in Ballito.

Post boxes are expected to be installed in the underground parking at Ballito Lifestyle Centre, so residents can make a single trip to collect their post with the Zimbali Post Office also housed at the centre.

Designing and funding the project have been cited as the primary delay.

“Initially the delays were due to the architect being out of the country, when he came back he was able to do the drawings in November. The space provided to us was limited and could not accommodate all boxes and we had a meeting with the architect to relook at the plans in early March. We are working tirelessly to ensure the boxes are installed,” said the SAPO KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Nobuhle Njapha.

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Although plans are ostensibly completed, no time frame was given for the completion of the new post boxes as funding is still being raised.

Ballito Lifestyle Centre spokesperson, Tessa Woodley, confirmed that the centre was prepared to house the post boxes.

“We are in advanced discussions with the SA Post Office regarding the relocation of the Ballito post boxes. However, the financial constraints of the SAPO and the availability of SAPO funds for the project remain a challenge,” said Woodley.

Although recorded mail, which includes packages, can be picked up at the Zimbali Post Office, all other post is being rerouted to Umhlali due to space constraints.

Umhlali Post Office acting branch manager, Dhilip Premlall said there were post boxes available at the branch to rent as needed.

This has not been a suitable compromise for residents however, as made clear by Ballito resident Ken Lever.

“This means a change of address on all business and personal correspondence, advising every single contact in South Africa and abroad who have been using our Post Box number and of course an extra 24km round trip every time we need to travel from Ballito to Umhlali to clear our post box. I do not consider this reasonable in the circumstances,” said Lever.

Concerns were also raised about the safety of visiting the Umhlali Post Office.

“The pathway leading to the boxes are in a serious state, the concrete is either sinking or protruding which can cause serious injury to the elderly. This post office is also not wheelchair friendly or accessible for someone who uses crutches or a walking stick,” said Ballito resident Jay Haricharan.

For residents who have paid their yearly post box fee – R535 or R340 for pensioners – there will also be no relief in the way of refunds.

“At this time the Post Office is not considering a refund as the customers are getting service and are collecting their mail,” said Njapha.

For now, the dual Post Office trip between Ballito Lifestyle Centre and Umhlali is the only option for Ballito residents to collect physical mail.