But can the SA Post Office deliver on grants system?
Mark Barnes, CEO of the Post Office, is certain that within six to 12 months his organisation will be able to take over management of the all-important national grants system, SA’s largest logistics challenge
The SA Post Office (Sapo) should not get the contract to distribute social grants until it has demonstrated it can do the job, says CEO Mark Barnes. He seems fairly certain of being able to achieve that goal in the next six to 12 months. Barnes says an incremental handover would be the best way to go, with the auditor-general (or whoever the constitutional court appoints) to monitor the process. At recent parliamentary committee meetings members from all parties expressed support for Sapo playing a role in the distribution of grants, though the nature of that role was not discussed. Even the average teller seems excited about the prospect. That the court allowed it to participate as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the recent high-profile action helps to cement the notion of Sapo as a part of grant payment. The biggest challenge for Barnes is likely to be Sapo’s reputation. "If it can’t deliver a letter on time ..." is the common refrain. While he accepts the criticism, Bar...
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