The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) has, for the second time, cancelled the hearings against the controversial e-tolling system at the National Consumer Commission (NCC).
The complaint was brought against the system by the Democratic Alliance (DA). DA Gauteng transport spokesperson Neil Campbell says both cancellations were at very short notice.
"Last week, Sanral did not arrive in time for the meeting and, on being contacted by the NCC, stated they had not been informed of the meeting. The Sanral company secretary confirmed with the NCC that a conciliation hearing would be attended by Sanral on 5 April at 10am."
However, Campbell says he was only informed yesterday at about 4pm by the NCC that Sanral would not attend the meeting today.
Litany of excuses
He adds that several excuses were offered by the agency, including that it wanted to meet with the NCC before the hearing and that the matter was sub judice because of the impending legal action by the recently formed Opposition to Urban Tolls Alliance.
Sanral also said it had not had time to draft a response, although a response was received by the DA from Sanral dated 31 January, according to Campbell.
The last reason given by the agency for cancelling was that an application by the SA National Consumer Union has been linked to the DA case.
"The short notice given to the NCC and the DA demonstrates that the arrogant attitude of Sanral continues unabated. This is further highlighted by the draconian draft legislation sneakily introduced recently, which seeks to form a private police force just for toll infringements, at a time when serious crime is rampant," says Campbell.
"It seems that Sanral will try any trick in the book to avoid legal attempts to expose its unpopular urban highway tolls as illegal. This gives strength to the public boycott of e-tags which the DA continues to endorse as it is a legitimate consumer protest."
Step by step
However, the agency says it is engaging with the NCC on various issues and complaints relating to its terms and conditions. “This engagement is not only about the concerns of the Democratic Alliance, but also those raised by other parties. We respect and take the concerns raised seriously,” it says.
Sanral says it is necessary to first allow the existing engagement with the NCC to run its course. “In this way, we can also address the issues raised by all complainants, rather than just the limited issues of an individual complaint. We are very confident of a positive and constructive outcome from that process.”
The agency says, while there are other reasons why the conciliation meeting is not appropriate, it believes the outcome of Sanral's ongoing engagement with the NCC will take account of the DA's concerns and that a conciliation meeting at this stage may be premature.
However, the agency remains open to meeting with the DA to discuss its concerns after its engagement process with the NCC has been concluded. “We emphasise that Sanral is committed to engaging with the NCC directly in a manner which is appropriate and fair.”
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