CAPTION: Yalo

“Users who do not register, or who do not have valid and operational e-tags and who do not pay within seven days will ultimately pay a significantly higher tariff,” the SA National Roads Agency said in a statement.

The agency cited costs associated with recovering payment, including invoicing and debt collection, as reasons for the R1.75c punitive tariff per kilometre, compared to the standard tariff of 30c per kilometre for registered users.

Sanral’s statement follows criticism from the Democratic Alliance on Sunday that the new rate was introduced without engaging the public.

“The DA is alarmed at the underhanded manner in which the National Minister of Transport, S’bu Ndebele, and Sanral has introduced a new punitive tariff for non-registered users,” said the party’s Gauteng transport spokesman Neil Campbell.

“The absolute arrogance and lack of transparent processes shown by SANRAL to the public throughout the whole toll introduction is abhorrent.”

Sanral Gazetted the tariffs on Friday, whereby it described an “alternate user” as someone “who does not have a valid and operational e-tag, is not registered with Sanral, and who is not a day-pass user”.

“Sanral’s view is that paying users should not pay higher costs to cover those who choose not to pay,” it said.

“As per Sanral’s governing legislation, it has long been an offence not to pay toll fees and the status quo is retained.

“By continually encouraging users not to register, it is actually the DA that is going to end up costing road users significantly more than they could otherwise have been paying.”

Sanral highlighted that the “alternate user” was entitled to pay the standard tariff, if he or she pays within the seven days grace period. It said this period lapses seven days after the due date.

Quoting from a statement it issued last year, the agency said it had indicated that non-payment of tolls would result in additional costs.

It urged road users “to do what is necessary” for them to pay the least amount possible in e-toll fees.

“Road users should not rely on the fear-mongering and false promises of organisations with their own peculiar vested interests who claim that they will be able to stop e-tolling forever,” it said.

Meanwhile, Campbell called on National Consumer Commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala to investigate this “outrageous” new penalty tariff.

A recent march by the Congress of SA Trade Unions highlighted opposition to the tolls, with many motorists threatening not to pay.

The Justice Project SA lambasted Sanral and Ndebele for “intimidating” motorists to buy e-tags.

“Just when we thought [they] could not get any more devious, they have surprised us all ...Now, more than ever is the time for Gauteng motorists to stand firm and refuse to be intimidated by the bullies,” it said.

The organisation hoped the courts could bring an end to this “looming disaster”.

According to Sanral, 300,000 road users had bought e-tags at the beginning of this month.

The toll system officially kicks in at midnight on April 30.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Thu May 23 12:47:04 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 16, 2012

mambaaai

very good cartoon, remember the last days of the struggle winney days
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Sinudeity

Sanral used R17 billion rands of Civil servants pension funds to build the e-Tolls. The government actually stole from its workers to fund this program. Thats how sure they was that this would be a big cash cow.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Sinudeity

Just dont pay. Its the right thing to do.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

MommaC

That was NOT the original agreement.
I don't care how much they inflate their fake sales figures by or how far they move the goal posts, I'm not getting one.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

BaleliM

Make me! I dare you.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

Bra_A

@ SOWETAN
R1.75 is not 3 times more, but 5.8times more; almost 6 times more.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

TupacAmaru

That's it. I'm voting DA.
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

MGEEZ

What is new? This is to be expectd!!!!
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

maneater

I AM NOT REGISTERING I DO NOT CARE WHAT THEY DO!!!!
Report Abuse

Apr 16, 2012

tpaz

If you don't pay the LAW will take its course, most people will secretly register.

SANRAL PROMOTION

Bu.y an eTag get a pack of condoms fr.ee. Reduce population reduce traffic.
Report Abuse

Read all 147 comments