Empangeni Post Office branches merge
'The Post Office is busy with a cost-cutting exercise, and is merging branches in cities and towns that are close together'
The seemingly unannounced closure of Empangeni’s Maxwell Street Post Office has left residents in the dark and frustrated.
On visiting the branch last week, Eyethu Bay Watch found residents waiting outside without being attended to.
At the back of the offices, a moving truck was loading furniture, boxes and documents.
While the people loading the truck declined to reply to questions, it was clear that the branch was being closed down.
Johan Kruger, communications officer at SA Post Office, provided much-needed clarity on the matter.
‘All operations, including the post boxes, have moved to Empangeni Rail Post Office which is 3.4km away.
‘The Post Office is busy with a cost-cutting exercise, and is merging branches in cities and towns that are close together, if there is an oversupply,’ he said.
‘The Post Office had put up notices at the merged branch, to direct customers to a convenient branch nearby.’
Kruger added that Post Office employees would not be retrenched in the process.
‘All the equipment and our staff will be deployed to nearby branches that have shortages,’ said Kruger.
‘The post boxes from Maxwell Street will also move to Empangeni Rail Post Office, and customers will get to keep their existing post box numbers.’
