My parcel held at customs for over a month

I bought goods from overseas which were subsequently received at the South African Customs at the end of July, after following up with them on several occasions as to why the is not released they cannot give me a satisfactory answer. They keep on promising that the parcel will be released \as soon as possible"and when I checked today the parcel is still not released. Early last year I had the same problem with SAPO (SA Customs) whereas the goods I bought again oversea got lost and I was never compensated. I've tracking the parcel since its arrival and I notice that it is still held at their premises. I don't know what to do henceforth as I am in Saudi Arabia. The parcel is supposed to be forwarded to Pretoria."""