Turns out, the Post Office technically has the exclusive legal right to deliver anything under 1kg that isn’t food and now they’re taking private courier companies to court. You know, the courier companies that surged in popularity due to the Post Office’s inability to actually deliver things.
The Post Office, PostNet, and the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA) are heading to court to argue over a Postal Services Act ruling that gives the Post Office the exclusive right to deliver postal items weighing 1kg or less, excluding food. If the Post Office wins, it means private couriers like FedEx, RAM, DHL, UPS, and Globeflight will not legally be allowed to deliver many items under 1kg.
What even weighs less than a kilo? Just unimportant things like:
- Cell phones
- Medication
- Bank cards
- Legal documents
- Wearable electronics
- Non-wearable electronics
- Discreet sexy-time accessories
- That Funko Pop! you’ve been eyeing all week
You get the idea; things you generally want to be certain you will receive because they cost a lot of money or are required for you to continue living. Private couriers have become the go-to method of parcel delivery for the vast majority of South Africans who can afford it. Many haven’t trusted the Post Office for years, due to its sluggish delivery times and long history of “losing” parcels.
Looking forward to the inevitable “bundle deals” should this law actually be enforced. I see you’re ordering a smartphone, would you like the 800g bag of artisanal sand with that?