GEORGE NEWS - The neglected state of the George Post Office building in York Street is a sad sight, but the branch is still operational despite uncertainty over the future of the South African Post Office (Sapo).
In its monthly business report for January, Sapo's business rescue practitioners (BRPs), Anoosh Rooplal and Juanito Damons, said the government has not provided the further funding needed to fully implement the rescue plan. The R3.8b promised has not materialised. When the BRPs took over management in 2023, they received R2.4b.
Correspondence from the Minister of Com-munications, Digital Technologies and the Postal Services, Solly Malatsi, in December confirmed that the second tranche of funding would not be made available. The BRPs said this makes it necessary to reassess the business rescue termination application and evaluate Sapo's future viability. They are considering exiting the business rescue and returning the entity back to the state with a new board, but discussions with the department are ongoing.
Despite the poor state of the building, the George branch is still delivering all standard post office services. According to Louise Brugman, Sapo's media spokesperson, currently, only two tellers and a branch manager employed. The latter is on sick leave.
The building itself is neglected. Overgrown roof gutters and a weed-filled courtyard around the post boxes give a sense of abandonment.
During a visit on Thursday morning, 19 February, George Herald picked up a faint disinfectant smell, suggesting an attempt to clean up after some homeless people had stayed overnight. The lock on one of the gates opening up to the post boxes was broken.
The cleanliness at nearby businesses in Shamrock Place, where night-time sprinklers prevent overnighting, was noticeable.
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