Sanral maintains that their gantries are legal
JOBURG – Despite the fact that FF Plus in November last year submitted a complaint to the Consumer Commission regarding the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) equipment, which boils down to all e-toll accounts being unlawful and being investigated by the commission, Sanral maintains that their gantries are legal and any amount owing calculated, is enforceable.
Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona said, “The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) – the independent body mandated to handle all technical regulations and compulsory specifications relating to public health and safety – has, as recently as this past January, confirmed that there currently are no technical regulations to determine compliance or non-compliance of the measuring instruments (gantries) used to classify motor vehicles passing under the gantries.”
However, Mona said there is no criminal prosecution taken against Sanral. He said that as there are no technical regulations against which there must be compliance, there can be no question of non-compliance on the part of Sanral.
“Sanral confirms to all road users that the equipment used to determine the vehicle classification (motorcycle, light, medium heavy or heavy vehicles) achieves greater than 99 percent accuracy due to various auditing and quality control measures. In addition, a photograph of the vehicle is available that can be used to clarify the actual vehicle classification in the event of a dispute,” Mona said.
He added that it is, therefore, irresponsible of the FF Plus to make statements to the public that the system is illegal and that the payment of tolls is not required. He said the system was legal and non-payment of e-tolls could result in sanctions against road users. “The door remains open for e-toll debtors who have received summonses for non-payment to settle their debts – and even benefit from the discounts offered by Sanral. Serial defaulters should, however, not underestimate the agency’s resolve to recover the outstanding amounts and ensure road users comply with the legislation pertaining to e-tolling in Gauteng,” said Mona.
He added that there are many road users who have been misled by those who tried to convince them there would be no consequences for their actions.
Details: To check if they qualify for the 60 percent discount, call 087 353 1490 or visit www.less60.co.za
