The South African Post Office Amendment Draft Bill, which has been published for public comment, is seeking to position the Post Office in the logistics, e-commerce and financial services industry.
The revised duties also empower the SAPO to position itself to be a strategic platform through which citizens and businesses can access value-added services including government services in line with the National Integrated ICT Policy White Paper.
These services may include government services, agency, financial, e-commerce, logistics, retail, authentication services, warehousing services, serve as a digital hub for businesses and communities, serve as a logistics partner to other e-commerce providers.
The Bill defines financial services as money transfers and remittances, cash on delivery services, payment service, prepaid services, and tickets sale.
It is further stated in the Bill that the Post Office should serve as digital hub for businesses and communities.
The Post Office should act as a Designated Authentication Authority that also fulfills its role as a National Trust Centre in the age of digital identity and services.
“The section is further amended to empower SAPO to continuously adjust its business model in line with the technological and industry developments in the provision of postal services and other services and to enhance the provision of Universal Services Obligation,” reads the draft Bill.
The bill proposes that the post office charge different fees for different services and in certain areas, subject to regulator approval.
This is to ensure that the post office can recover services costs and not operate at a loss, the department said.
“Furthermore, the amendment allows the Post Office to differentiate its service offerings at different post offices and service points based on the needs assessment for a particular area. This is also to ensure the effective and efficient usage and enhancement of services offerings by SAPO to communities.”
