SA Post Office
Accepting courier parcel when there's a strike

On 16 Feb 2013 I sent a Speed Services Courier parcel from the SAPO in Parkview, JHB to Port Elizabeth.By the very nature of the service and name - SPEED, SERVICE, COURIER - I expected it to be delivered with 24-72 hours (I use this service often and am very familiar with it).
Three times on 18 and 19 Feb 2013 the recipient went to collect the parcel in Port Elizabeth, only to be told on the third time that "there's been a strike since 13 Feb and the parcel has not left Parkview yet".
The person at the SAPO Parkview who accepted the parcel said NOTHING about a strike and happily accepted the parcel.
I am FURIOUS as this was an urgent item (hence me sending it by courier - duh) for someone who was only in Port Elizabeth to receive it for a few days (not their normal place of residence).
I cannot get onto Speed Services website to track it - seems not to exist.
So: how do I get parcel back urgently so I can get a competent courier company to deliver it urgently? How do I get a refund on costs incurred? And why is SAPO so unbelievably incompetent?
There are TWO phone numbers on the waybill - no one even had the COMMON COURTESY to call and explain the delay. I'm SPITTING ANGRY.

Company: SA Post Office
Country: South Africa
City: Speed Services

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