The man tasked with turning around the beleaguered South African Post Office has been given another extended term by government.
The Post Office was put under administration in November last year after a protracted four-month illegal strike that dented postal services.
Simo Lushaba was subsequently made the Post Office’s administrator in light of a tough financial situation at the parastatal as well.
Earlier this month, telecommunications & postal services minister Siyabonga Cwele revealed in a response to a parliamentary question that the Post Office owes almost R245m to more than 2 000 suppliers, and is in arrears of over six months.
In light of all these problems, Cwele has extended Lushaba’s term to 30 September. This follows Lushaba’s term being extended in February 2015 as well.
“Since November 2014, the labour relations environment at the Post Office has improved, allowing for a period of uninterrupted service delivery,” said telecoms department in a statement on Friday.
The department further said that cabinet has approved a “strategic turnaround plan” (STP) during this period and that Cwele has “considered the need to have a seamless transition at the top leadership level of the Post Office as it implements the STP”.
The department also noted that Lushaba is expected to continue overseeing the implementation of the STP, assist in the handover process to the new board, and “orientate the new board on the STP”. — Fin24
