Can anyone help and advise on a lost SA passport by Royal mail with the need to get my UK visa extended?

My SA passport has been lost by Royal Mail despite my great efforts in making sure that I Special Recorded the package.

In my (lost) passport is my UK ancestry visa which is due to expire 1st week of April 2010. I only have a photocopy of my visa at present.

1. Is this sufficient to be able to stay in the country and apply for my 12month extension (as my visa was only issued for 4 yrs and I’m within the 3 – 6 months to apply)?
2. Who would I contact about my UK visa to explain what has happened and possibly get my extension processed despite me being without a passport?

I have been on to the SA embassy website and they say the turnaround time is 4months in getting a passport.

3. Does anyone know of a fast track application that I can use?
4. One of the requirements to reapply for a passport is I need 2x certified copies of my valid British visa, how would I be able to do this as my original is in the lost passport?

I can claim compensation from Royal mail as I can prove it went into the Royal mail postal system and it was an insured Special delivery.

5. Do a submit this claim once I know exactly what my out going would come to once I have managed to sort both the passport and the visa?

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