Minister calls for comments from couriers

COMPANIES involved in small package airfreight courier services have been invited by the Minister of Communications to submit comments on the gazetted Postal Services Regulations. These must reach the Postal Regulator's office before the end of January 2002. The regulations, which fall under Section 61 of the Postal Services Act 1998, gives the post office exclusivity in the handling of all packages weighing up to one kilogram. Courier companies have expressed concern at the fact that this will erode the private sector's business share, as many companies depend on the provision of lightweight deliveries, especially documents, which fall into this category. Following recent meetings with major stakeholders, the minister, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, called for written comments to be addressed to the Postal Regulator, Private Bag X860, Pretoria 0001.