In a news release, it says this is due to the long queues of grants beneficiaries that inconvenience post office clients.

According to SAPO, services such as TV license and driving license renewals were starting to decline as most people would be discouraged from going to the post office branches because of the crowds that would, in some cases, be difficult to control and manage.

SAPO explains that as a result they ended up prioritising services that were not within their job description, and neglecting their own. This led to SAPO clients being unhappy, and SAPO employees being overworked.

Arrangements to collect money at alternative places have been made. People can now collect money at five retailers nationwide. These retailers are Pick n Pay, Shoprite, USave, Boxer and Checkers. There will be no fees charged for withdrawing money, and will need to produce an ID and phone number to get assistance.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi