Amid an upcoming review of government's e-toll system, the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) may be planning to get prosecuting authorities to issue summons to a handful of e-toll violators.
This is according to the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) and comes after Gauteng premier David Makhura's State of the Province Address on Friday, in which he announced a special panel would be set up to review "the impact on e-tolls" on the province.
Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage says while the alliance welcomes the e-toll review, Sanral's silence on the issue "speaks volumes" about the road agency's defiance against such a step. He says Outa has word that Sanral is going to try prosecute e-toll defaulters now that the discount period is up and many road users have still not paid.
"This 'stick' approach follows on from Sanral's recent discounts offered to entice greater compliance, a tactic that has produced very little success for them and a decision to prosecute non-payers will be their final 'role of the e-toll dice', in an attempt to induce greater compliance."
Outa says it is concerned that attempts by Sanral to proceed with prosecuting freeway users could derail the new engagement initiative by Makhura. It has called on Sanral to respond by indicating to society if it will suspend any plans it may have, to prosecute freeway users who have not paid their e-toll bills, until the outcome of the premier's initiative is concluded.
"A positive response by Sanral to suspend any further enforcement plans in this regard will indicate that it is committed to participating in good faith in the e-toll impact review panel, which in turn will open the way for all stakeholders to develop a lasting and efficient solution to the funding of the Gauteng freeway upgrade."
Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona declined to comment.
Outa has vowed to ensure that any attempt to criminally prosecute a freeway user is "defended by the best available lawyers".
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