Industry slams new courier law

RECENT LEGISLATION which gives the South African Post Office full rights to the handling of all packages weighing up to 1kg has drawn strong industry response (FTW October 18, 2002). The regulations demand that courier companies register and obtain an operating licence. Cost of registration and licence is R25 000 per company with a further R550 000 a year payable in advance for the next three years. 'New law will add to unemployment' This is a typical example of non-democracy. The Post Office is a large, secure concern, which owns the likes of Speed Services, Parcel Express, Fast Forward and so on. This impacts on the entire courier industry, but especially the smaller players whose main business is the 1kg market. Whenever something does not go a parastatal's way they always manage to get government to pass a law in their favour. Surely the small business market is crucial with the delicate economy and levels of unemployment. In my mind this will just create further unemployment. Where does one draw the line.? Karen-Sue Sacks, Heneways. 'On the trail of Zimbabwe?' Just keep up this kind of legislation and SA will go exactly the way Zimbabwe did. Ray Pretorius (by email)