Justice Project SA (JPSA) has posted a Web page advising motorists on the issue of "e-toll road blocks".
This comes after roadblocks across Gauteng - set up by the Gauteng Department of Community Safety (GDCS) in conjunction with the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) and featuring e-toll-branded vehicles - caused panic and confusion earlier this month.
Two weeks down the line, JPSA chair Howard Dembovsky says the panic has not subsided and rumours abound. "JPSA continues to get panicked phone calls, e-mails and tweets about these roadblocks from terrified motorists - some of whom have chosen to defy the introduction of e-tolling in the limited areas of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane."
Dembovsky says, "in the interest of disseminating factual information and combatting both rumours and acts of intimidation and/or corruption", JPSA has put together a comprehensive Web page dealing with this topic. The page offers practical advice and lays bare the facts surrounding what have been referred to as "e-toll roadblocks".
Questions covered, among others, include:
What should I do if I am stopped in one of these roadblocks?
* Are these roadblocks legal?
* Should I report these roadblocks to JPSA?
* Who or what is the Gauteng Department of Community Safety and what powers do they have?
* Is 'Metro' allowed to work with Sanral?
* What are the SANRAL vehicles doing there?
* Where and when can I expect to encounter these roadblocks?
* What are the penalties for not paying e-tolls?
Sanral has denied intimidation or interrogation of motorists, saying claims that motorists were asked why they do not have e-tags are implausible. "Sanral does not do law enforcement on the roads, but the competent authorities (in this case GDCS) does. Having an e-tag is not a legal requirement and it is therefore inconceivable that such questions would have been asked."
To go to JPSA's questions and answers page on this issue click here.
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