Toti post office experiences multiple break-ins
A suspect was caught during the last break-in, and some parcels were recovered.
THE Amanzimtoti Post Office was broken into 12 times in eight months in 2023, which caused a gift sent from overseas to never reach its owner as she was told it had been stolen during one of the break-ins.
Instead, Nicky Bonhomme said she was told by the post office to tell the sender in Australia to submit a claim to their insurer.
Also read: Amanzimtoti Post Office barely coping with Sassa queues
“The parcel was stolen after it had reached the Amanzimtoti Post Office. How can they now say it is the responsibility of the sender when it was stolen in their care?” asked Nicky.
She said a staff member told her that the branch has experienced consecutive break-ins, and in the last incident, 70 parcels, including hers, were stolen. She added that she felt she had no recourse as the post office had seemingly absolved itself of all responsibility.
The South African Post Office is currently under business rescue as it was declared insolvent in July 2023 after it could not pay its creditors and meet its other obligations.
Anoosh Rooplal, who is the joint business rescue practitioner, confirmed that between April and December 2023, the Amanzimtoti Post Office experienced 12 break-ins.
“All these cases were immediately reported to the police. After the last break-in, a suspect was arrested in the vicinity, and some items that were stolen from the branch were found on him. If the item was insured, payment will be refunded for the parcel with a valid claim. Where there is no insurance, the customer will apply for an ex gratia payment,” said Rooplal.
An ex gratia payment is a payment made to a claimant for damages or other claims without recognising any legal obligation. Rooplal added that since December 2023, the Amanzimtoti Post Office has been under 24-hour guard, and since then, there has been no criminal activity.
Bonhomme noted Rooplal’s response and said she would consider the offer before making her final decision.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047.
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
