Parly committee to visit post office HQ for update on business rescue process
The chairperson of Parliament's communications committee, Khusela Diko, said that MPs want to see a turnaround plan for the post office, which business rescue practitioners have not yet shared with Parliament.
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Diko. Picture: @ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - Parliament's communications and digital technologies committee will travel to the post office's headquarters in Johannesburg next week for a first-hand update on the business rescue process.
Chairperson Khusela Diko said that the future of workers was the paramount concern.
But she's also welcomed an announcement by Minister Solly Malatsi to find strategic partners that can help save the beleaguered institution.
Despite a day zero warning by its CEO Fathima Gany last October, the post office continues to limp on.
Diko said that MPs want to see a turnaround plan for the post office, which business rescue practitioners have not yet shared with Parliament.
"Obviously, our biggest worry is around the workers at the post office and we are hoping that differences with the business rescue practitioners will be resolved to at least cover the operational expenses of the post office."
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has up until now rejected a request for a R3.8 billion bailout for the post office and he’s likely to hold that line when he tables the national budget on Wednesday.
"We believe National Treasury is not unreasonable. You tell them what the strategy is, how you are making sure you are not coming back for a bailout in six months, and I'm sure they will look to support the post office."
Last week, the Communications Workers Union warned it doesn’t foresee the post office operating beyond the end of February.