"Only in South Africa": Post Office Delivers Package 13 Years Late, Mzansi Stunned at the Reason
- A South African package resurfaced after more than a decade, exposing the inconsistency of Post Office parcel policies
- Customers have experienced frustrations ranging from non-responses to missed deliveries, highlighting systemic inefficiencies
- The viral video sparked widespread conversation about modernising tracking systems and improving customer service nationwide
South Africans were shocked and amused by a package delivered 13 years late, exposing gaps in postal service efficiency and customer support.
Source: TikTok
On 6 November 2025, TikTok user @ejv_27 shared a video showing a South African Post Office delivering a package 13 years after it was initially sent. The post quickly caught the attention of locals, raising questions about the efficiency and policies of the national postal service. According to MyBroadband, the parcel system in South Africa has inconsistencies, with some parcels being returned after three months while others turn up more than a decade later. In this particular case, a MyBroadband reader recounted ordering a parcel from AliExpress in May 2021, which arrived in South Africa just over three months later, only to remain uncollected at the Lonehill branch for years due to missed communication and poor customer support.
The South African Post Office has a policy that uncollected parcels are typically returned to the sender after three months. However, these guidelines are applied inconsistently, creating confusion for customers. The reader attempted multiple times to arrange for the parcel to be delivered to a branch closer to their workplace, but no response came from customer services. When checking in November 2025, they discovered that the parcel had been sitting in the Lonehill branch, and tracking it without the original tracking number was deemed too difficult by staff. Business Rescue Practitioner Anoosh Rooplal clarified that while holding times differ depending on the type of product, three months is standard for parcels and one month for letters, leaving many customers frustrated with the lack of clarity.
Post Office delays spark viral outrage
The video, posted by user @ejv_27, went viral almost immediately, garnering over 3,300 likes and more than 150 comments in just a day. South Africans reacted with disbelief, questioning how a package could remain undelivered for over a decade while smaller parcels were returned promptly. Many users criticised the Post Office’s inefficiency, highlighting the contrast between strict timelines for some parcels and the extreme delays in others. The attention the video received sparked widespread discussion about the need for modernised tracking systems and more responsive customer support.
PAY ATTENTION: stay informed and follow us on Google News!
The general reaction from viewers was a mix of humour and frustration, with South Africans joking about the Post Office’s delays while expressing concern over its inconsistent policies. People were left shaking their heads at how a system meant to serve the public could allow such extreme lapses in service. The incident highlighted the real-world impact of poor customer service and outdated operational practices on citizens who rely on timely delivery. Despite the amusement, there was an underlying consensus that reforms are long overdue to prevent similar situations in the future.
Source: TikTok
Mzansi reacted to the video
Io_scarecrow_oi said:
“Ayy, as long as they got delivered. 😂”
F wrote:
“Still waiting for my wish package from 2017.”
Lumi wrote:
“I was born in 2003, and my parents called for the ambulance to help deliver me. It’s 2025, and still waiting for the ambulance.”
Epic Exposures said:
“It's time capsules now. 🥺”
Aq1l wrote:
“Well, at least they got it. 🤣🤣🤣”
Valencia Manuel said:
“Talk about snail mail. 🤣 Lord.”
Khalimeshe said:
“Still waiting for my graduation pictures from 2015.”
djoocy wrote:
“100% true, I just got my Nokia 3310 delivered yesterday.”
Check out the TikTok video below:
3 Other Briefly News stories related to post offices
- Post office workers were not pleased with the agreement that resulted in the halting of about 6,000 jobs.
- The South African Post Office and e-commerce company Wish have secured a partnership, according to recent reports.
- Two KwaZulu-Natal hitmen convicted of murders linked to the taxi industry have been sentenced to life imprisonment after post office heist.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Source: Briefly News
