Issued by: Department of Communications
6 November 2000
I wish to express my deep concern over some of the misleading statements made in articles about the SA Post Office that have appeared in various editions of the City Press over the past few weeks, including Sunday 5th November, 2000.
Of particular concern is the allegation of threats made against the Chief Executive of the SA Post Office. Speculation about this matter in the media is likely to cause more problems than it solves.
The City Press article of 5th November refers to an "outgoing Chairperson" of SA Post Office. It is unclear what the basis is for such a description. However I wish to state that no decision has been made about changing the appointment of the current Chairperson.
In regard to the current investigations being carried out at the SA Post Office, I would like to request City Press and other media to desist from analysis and conclusions that are not factual and which may jeopardise investigations.
For example, the lack of understanding of the processes and timeframes of audits undertaken by the SA Post Office by the media is causing more confusion than clarity. Investigations of serious allegations and audits have been underway long before the new Chief Executive was appointed. These were not commissioned by the new Chief Executive.
The Gobodo reports (as the reports of these investigations and audits are collectively known) are a series of interlinked reports which cannot be seen in isolation. Some matters they raised needed further explanation that the new Chief Executive has now requested.
The impression created that he is on a vendetta or that he is a Knight in Shining Armour is very misleading. He is doing what I, as the representative of the shareholder, have asked him to do - perform his duty. Since his appointment, the Chief Executive has paid attention to various of these matters while also dealing with the strategic repositioning of the Post Office as a business.
The Chief Executive, the SA Post Office board and myself have to ensure that all investigations are well done so that we can deal effectively with all those people who are implicated and clear names of those who are not. None of us have a vested interest in thwarting the process, neither do we wish to see the process delayed by irresponsible reporting.
I am committed to a sector that operates without corruption and fraud and I have made it my duty to weed such problems out and to deal with them openly and forthrightly. I will be reporting on the outcome of the overall investigations at the SA Post Office once these have been completed, to whom it is appropriate and when it is appropriate.
I am committed to ensuring that the SA Post Office will continue to serve the public of South Africa by expanding its services offered to customers and rolling out postal addresses and services to millions of people who have never had these.
Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri
Minister of Communications
Contact: Mandy Jean Woods
Phone: (012) 427-8000
Fax: (012) 427-8026
Email: mandy@doc.pwv.gov.za