Uncertainty remains as to whether the public protector’s office will investigate SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) following damning allegations made by a whistle-blower about e-tolling.
Spokesperson for the public protector’s office, Kgalalelo Masibi said, “The matter is being assessed and we cannot tell at this stage whether the public protector will investigate or not.”
She acknowledged that an affidavit from Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance’s John Clarke, which makes reference to the existence of a whistle-blower, has been filed with the public protector.
Following the assessment, a determination will be made by the Public Protector Thuli Mandonsela, she added.
However, a report by the Citizen stated that the public protector’s office had confirmed that it would investigate Sanral following the whistle-blower’s allegations.
The newspaper reported that Deputy Public Protector, Kevin Malunga said allegations of maladministration would be investigated if it was revealed to exist within the State-owned entity.
The whistle-blower, an employee of Kapsch – the Austrian company which designed the e-toll system – wished to remain anonymous.
Masibi said all complainants wishing to remain anonymous were protected by the Protected Disclosures Act 26.
Allegations made by the whistle-blower included that there were design flaws within the system. He further claimed that e-tolling was being planned for Durban and Cape Town, and that Sanral had been warned about the high risk of the implementation of a national roll out.
The source also alleged that Gauteng motorists would be faced with an extra R2.5-billion in costs because the control centre in Midrand had been created to monitor all roads in South Africa.
Sanral’s spokesperson, Vusi Mona said the roads agency had not been contacted by the public protector’s office.
However, he said the roads agency would co-operate in any investigation.
Sanral rejected the allegations made by the “so-called informant”.
