President Jacob Zuma has ordered the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of "serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the SA Post Office (SAPO)", including the implementation of point-of-sale (POS) system WebRiposte.
WebRiposte, developed by US-based retail software company Escher Group, was chosen by SAPO as the new POS in 2005 and scheduled for national rollout, but it was not fully implemented by 2013.
SAPO's progress is noted in its 2013 annual report, which says "employees in retail and support services were trained on the new point-of-sale system in line with the conversion", but the presidency says the SIU will investigate irregularities and malpractice around its implementation.
According to the report, 231 offices have converted to the system and 1 109 employees were trained but another remark notes the system was "not implemented as planned".
Escher describes the software as "a standards-based, transaction management environment and application framework" which enables postal networks to automate their services.
The company was also awarded a tender in December last year to provide e-registered mail services for South African citizens.
The SIU will probe SAPO's loans granted to the Courier and Freight Group, management of movable and immovable property, and intentional or negligent loss of public money.
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