Johannesburg – The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has published a Discussion Document to solicit written submissions in respect of the Authority’s initial analysis on matters relating to the unreserved postal services with the primary focus being regulatory challenges affecting the unreserved postal sector.

Unreserved postal services relate to services that have not been reserved for the South African Post Office (SAPO), and comprise of all letters, postcards, printed material, small parcels and other postal articles larger than and/or heavier than the reserved dimensions up to and including 30 kilograms.

“The objects of the Postal Services Act (PSA) provides for postal regulations to develop greater equity in respect of the distribution of services, particularly within areas of historically disadvantaged communities, including rural areas. It is therefore our duty as ICASA to ensure consumer protection and promote of access to postal services as provided for by the PSA,” says ICASA Councillor, Adv. Dimakatso Qocha.

However, the ability of the sector to develop greater equity in the distribution of services especially in the rural areas is hindered by, among others, long distances between areas which generate low volumes of postal services as well as insufficient roll-out of addresses.

Interested stakeholders have until 03 December 2018 to make their written submissions on the Discussion Document, subsequent to which ICASA may hold public hearings.

For all media enquiries please contact:

Paseka Maleka

011 566 3455

079 509 0702 pmaleka@icasa.org.za