South Africa National Roads Agency Limited
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has issued a statement seeking to set the record straight on a number of issues pertaining to e-tolling recently highlighted in the media.
A recent media article had drawn attention to SANRAL’s proposed toll account terms and conditions labelling them “unfair and illegal”.
In a nutshell, the particular clause in question would enable SANRAL to obtain financial information on e-tag holders from any institution.
In response, SANRAL denies that this is the case indicating that it would only be able to obtain information that it needed.
According to SANRAL, the clause is necessary as information required may vary from person to person.
“Such clause would not allow SANRAL to transgress the requirements of legislation and SANRAL would not seek to do so”.
In response to concerns regarding the cloning of number plates, SANRAL declares that the “mere copying of a licence plate will not result in a user becoming liable for another party’s toll charges”.
The agency adds that e-tolling will actually help to prevent fraud and the cloning of number plates.
As regards pre-defined top-up threshold levels for users’ accounts, SANRAL confirms that the user determines this level.
The arrangement will enable SANRAL to debit monthly charges from a user’s account.
The agency points out that other options to ensure payment such as cash payment and electronic funds transfer are also available.
SANRAL also confirms that unregistered toll road users would have a seven days grace period to make the necessary payment.
In terms of the exemption for buses and mini-bus taxis, SANRAL denies that this is discriminatory as the vehicles in question provide a public service.
E-tolling remains on hold as reported at the beginning of this week.
The SANRAL board is to undertake a reappraisal of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and submit a report to the transport minister.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
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