Amid a flurry of media reports about the SA Post Office’s intended court action to gain a monopoly of the transport of sub 1g parcels, the SA Express Parcels Association (Saepa) has chosen not to comment for now.
“Since there is a legal case forthcoming, we have to be very sensitive to what we say and cannot take the risk of jeopardising the outcome,” says Saepa CEO Garry Marshall.
The impact of such a move will cripple a R20-billion+ industry which is indispensable to every sector of the economy, says Marshall.
Business and commerce, agriculture, government at all levels, and the public rely on proven, private-sector services for the safe and time-definite movement of their urgent and high-value items. And this involves industries ranging from electronics and pharmaceuticals to aviation, manufacturing and mining.
“The industry was a major player in keeping the economy pumping despite severe lockdown measures – and has embraced the fast-growing e-commerce revolution, which is growing in the Republic at an eye-watering 24% per annum,” Marshall points out.
“Small wonder then that the media and others, who have the success of South Africa at heart, are expressing their concerns at the threat to our business.”
The court action is scheduled to take place later this year.
