Post office workers protest over government inaction

Disgruntled South African Post Office (SAPO) workers have accused government of failing to act on the long-running crisis facing the state-owned entity, including delays in its digitisation.

Dozens of protesters marched to the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) in Hatfield, Pretoria, where they handed over a memorandum of demands to Minister, Solly Malatsi.

Workers say they have gone nearly a decade without salary adjustments, while continuing to operate under what they describe as harsh and deteriorating working conditions.

Communications Workers Union (CWU) national organiser, Mofet Seutlwadi, says government has repeatedly failed to deliver on its promises.

“If there was a political will from the government, the minister, and treasury, we would see meaningful change. They promised us R3.8 billion as to say they going to fund us. When the money is supposed to come through, then the government comes up with excuses. Treasury is taking us from pillar to post. Also minister Solly is taking us from pillar to post,” said Seutlwadi.

Workers expressed anger that the leaders they voted for, have not responded with urgency, warning that continued inaction could have political consequences.

The group of about 300 protesters also criticised Minister Malatsi for not meeting them in person during the demonstration.

Chants echoed outside the department as workers vowed to continue their protests in defence of the Post Office’s survival and proposed digitisation.

They further raised concerns over retrenchments, liquidation processes, and what they describe as a lack of transparency and accountability in the management of SAPO.

They also criticised government’s handling of the state-owned entity, accusing leaders of a lack of transparency and accountability.

The workers say they will continue protesting in support of not only the SAPO’s survival but also its digitisation.

Representatives from the DCDT received the memorandum on behalf of the minister and said it would be considered and responded to in due course.

South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) Secretary General, Zwelinzima Vavi, also addressed the gathering, accusing government of abandoning public services and workers.

He criticised the handling of SAPO’s business rescue funding, claiming that a R3.8 billion allocation had been repeatedly delayed.

Vavi urged workers not to give up on SAPO, encouraging them to continue applying pressure on leaders to ensure their demands are met.

He said the crisis facing workers is systemic and deeply entrenched, and remains ultimately unfavourable.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao