Garsfontein Post Office is situated around the corner from the Garsfontein Police Station. I always liked this post office until South African security obsession crept in. Dont get me wrong, I love security and any measure that makes me feel safe is always welcome.
In the case of Gars post office’s erected palisade fencing though, I feel more unsafe than before. The first time I spotted the fencing, I thought, “Wow! They matched the blue so well”. Instead of that beautiful sigh of relief followed by "they thought of everything". No they didn't. Got out of my car and looked for entrance. I saw a tiny gate open. Apparently there are two gates but when I get there on Saturdays or Sundays, I see one gate open. This gate is actually tiny with a capital "T".
As I step inside the box, I immediately feel intensely unsafe. Bear in mind, the post box area has hidden corners and you are enclosed in this area with only one tiny escape gate. What were they thinking? Do we need to have our post boxes secured? The main building with the counters is not enclosed but our post boxes and re-posting booths are secured. I don’t get the point to this security measure. This happens to be the most popular spot for art vendors. I hope someone will respond with a comment that makes me understand the logic behind all these bars.
As I was thinking about this very important security measure that we need because we live in South Africa, I read this article yesterday:
“Four armed men fled with an undisclosed amount of money after robbing a Garsfontein Post Office on Wednesday, Gauteng police said.
Spokeswoman Eveline Hardaker said the four arrived at the post office at 2pm and waited in the queue, posing as customers.
"When they got to the counter, one ordered everybody to sleep flat on the floor. The [other] three jumped over the counter, robbed cashiers of all their money and the money that was in the safe."
They fled the scene after the robbery, she said. Hardaker said only three were armed with firearms. – Sapa
Spokeswoman Eveline Hardaker said the four arrived at the post office at 2pm and waited in the queue, posing as customers.
"When they got to the counter, one ordered everybody to sleep flat on the floor. The [other] three jumped over the counter, robbed cashiers of all their money and the money that was in the safe."
They fled the scene after the robbery, she said. Hardaker said only three were armed with firearms. – Sapa
Nice weekend
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Mbini Kutta-Mathye
www.pretoria-south-africa.com
