Monday 29 January 2024

Hope on the Horizon? - April ‘21 by Sue Akande

It’s shocking that such a miscarriage of justice has happened to so many sub postmasters and mistresses,

Just ordinary men and women trying to make the best of their businesses.

 

Their troubles only began when the IT system ‘Horizon’ was installed.

Thousands of pounds inexplicably went missing but there was no help from the helpline they called!


The Post Office ignored their concerns -‘You are the only one having problems, you are responsible for the money lost’ - each one was told.

Yet, there were hundreds across the country having issues, one just 19 years old!


Branded thieves, prosecuted, some were imprisoned, some committed suicide,

The injustice has dragged on for years, so long that some have died.


Their time ran out before their innocence could be revealed,

Lied to by the Post Office, Horizon not fit for purpose, the ugly truth concealed.


How can it be that innocent workers have to take the hit,

That they had to pay the price for the pursuit of profit?


Finally, through the court, their stories have been believed,

There was a fault in the system, now relief, as their names have been cleared.


However, will they ever be free from the trauma they have suffered?

Compensation will follow but when will justice be fully served?

5 comments:

Ann Reader said...

Very topical and thoughtful, captures the anguish that this dreadful situation gives rise to .

Irena Szirtes said...

Really hoping there is hope on the horizon for them all 😥

Jennie said...

Well done Sue, you’ve made a wonderful poem out of a terrible miscarriage of justice; Many postmasters and mistresses still haven’t had their names cleared.

Anonymous said...

Interesting tale, Sue -- part poetry, part prose -- an enjoyable, fact-filled read.

Alex

Sue said...

Thanks very much for your comments everyone.
When I wrote this in 2021 I was responding to the theme of freedom and I was imagining the relief these postmasters and mistresses would feel after finally being believed in court. It is dreadful that almost three years later justice still hasn't been served.