Dhl International
Item sent from NZ to RSA held by customs

Long & short of it is as follows :
1) I send a 21st birthday gift to my Godchild in RSA via DHL (as supplier of logistics / infrastructure to NZ Post) to her mother's office, from a New Zealand Post outlet.
2) After some time, NZ Post informs me, as sender, that tax / duty is payable to SA customs, who are holding parcel.
3) I pay tax via NZ Post who interface accordingly with DHL
4) DHL Express in SA appear not to recognize / "see" this payment and keep insisting that the recipient pay the tax / duties again.
5) DHL refuse to communicate with me to resolve, insisting that I must deal with NZ Post.
6) NZ Post appear unable to rectify this with DHL.
7) Recipient is left in the position of either having to pay the tax / duties again, or have customs "appropriate" the parcel.
I am "technically" NZ Post's customer, but they assured me that they could send items via DHL, which was my preferred courier. My recipient is dealing with DHL who is responsible for the transaction on her side. I am trying desperately to apply Hanlon's Razor to this situation, but fear the worst...