Follow up: Further delays on a package for confounding reasons!

So I've added an extra star purely because of the kind communications I've received from the person/s that was assigned to help me from Tariffs since I lodged a complaint. They were very cordial and professional.

I updated the invoice and sent it to the customs team that was assigned to my package. Keep in mind this was after a week or more of back-and-forth persistent and painful communications from me to them, otherwise I think it would never have even gotten past the first stage. And if it wasn't for the person who started helping me since the complaint, that revised invoice would still probably not have been filed (keep in mind this took a week already since I submitted it).

Now I'm informed that Port of Health detained the package because of chocolate and I have to wait another 24-48 hours and I have to pay R250 for the service. Perhaps this is common standard (even though it seems a bit strange), but fair enough I could live with that - if it was only that.

Now I am informed that my package was selected by Local Customs Authority for further investigation, which will take another 5 days! Why you may ask? I wondered the same thing and got in contact with Tariffs, with a kind gentleman who at least gave me a reason, something I would never have gotten from the ACTUAL TEAM who is working with my package.

The reason he gave was as follows: The senders knitted a TURTLE PLUSHIE for me, and this got pinged for further investigation. To check if there was an ACTUAL LIVE ANIMAL in my package. I am dumbfounded.

This all doesn't even reckon in that this was supposed to be a gift - and thus a surprise. The senders are also extremely upset with this entire process and while I tried to dissuade them, they seem very adamant to file complaints from their side as well.

I may be off here, but this feels like punishment or pettiness from the customs team because they did sound irritated with me for my persistence, but if nobody files documents or explains to me what is required, or EVEN JUST READS THE INVOICE AND DESCRIPTIONS PROVIDED TO THEM, what must I do? Sit back and wait weeks or months for nothing to happen?

I sincerely hope this wasn't done out of spite and I asked Tariffs to talk to them and expedite the process because it seems very silly to me to confiscate the package for that reason.

I'll be more than happy to provide a better review if this gets resolved, but until then I will warn you about dealing with the actual staff. Don't push them, even if they don't do their jobs properly, because it seems they'll push back.