E-tolls charges will continue despite plans to review the system

Following Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s announcement that a panel tasked with reviewing e-tolling would be appointed, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said there were no plans to cease charging motorists for e-tolls during the review.

The roads agency’s spokesperson, Vusi Mona said it had not been advised by its shareholder to stop charging motorists for using e-roads.

Mona added that the roads agency was not informed of Makhura’s plans to review e-tolling.

Earlier, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance expressed concern that any attempts by the roads agency to proceed with prosecuting freeway users could derail Makhura’s engagement initiative.

During his state of the province address last month, Makhura announced that the provincial government would review the impact of the system and invited proposals regarding how to find lasting solutions to the matter.

This would be done in consultation with the government, municipalities and all key stakeholders.

The alliance sought clarity on the road agency’s stance, calling on it to indicate if it would suspend any plans to prosecute freeway users who have not paid their e-toll bills until the outcome of the premier’s initiative was concluded.

The alliance accused the roads agency of planning to have prosecuting authorities issue summonses to a “handful” of motorists that had not paid their e-toll bills, in an attempt to seek a successful prosecution for non-payment.

Mona refused to respond to the alliance’s accusations.

However, Mona said there was no need to suspend the issuing of summonses to motorists who failed to pay their e-toll accounts while e-tolling was under review, as no summonses had been issued.

“Sanral endeavours to exhaust all possible avenues before taking legal action,” Mona said.