Fedex outsources to lowest, slowest bidder when delivering in South Africa

I ordered some small, specialised items from the US three weeks ago. Fedex’s shipping costs were 26% on top of the purchase price. Shipping from USA to SA was prompt, then Fedex handed the package over to their local partner, Inter Town Trans[port, who shipped the package from Joburg to PE, to East London, then back to PE, where it’s been sitting for five days. I called Fedex twice, but they said it was - literally - out of their hands. Why pay a premium for Fedex, when they just palm off your order to the lowest bidder? Courier Guy delivers daily to my town, but Fedex partner InterTown Transports deigns to come once a week, or a fortnight. I’ve also received NO comms from InterTown Transport since the package got to SA.