DHL don't deliver

I sent a package from the Netherlands to South Africa on 28 April 2025. It was held at Customs for more than a week. After calling DHL to follow up, they gave me the number for the South African Post Office to follow up. I managed to find the number for Customs myself and spoke to a very helpful lady that informed me that I have to pay import duties. I made the payment immediately on 8 May and she copied me when she sent the proof of payment to za.pop.

I had to follow up several times in the following days and finally I received a message this morning thay the package was ready for delivery to the address in South Africa. A few hours later I was notified that the consinlgnee "refused to accept the delivery". I contacted the recipient immediately and she told me that no delivery was made.

When I contacted DHL to ask why it was not delivered, the customer service representative blatently **** by telling me that the import duties was not paid, and that the recipient refused to pay. That after I paid it 5 days ago and submitted the proof of payment.

This is horrible service. How can a package first be delayed for so long and then they don't even attempt delivery and lie about the circumstances?