The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) says that an attempt to launch a denial of service attack on the e-toll Web site has been thwarted.
The attack comes about a week after the North Gauteng High Court quashed a bid to stop government from implementing an electronic toll project across most of Gauteng's freeways. Judge Louis Vorster ruled that the proper consultation process was followed as far as it was relevant, and said the method of paying for the controversial scheme was not an issue.
Several civil society organizations, including the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), had asked the judge to set aside government's decision to declare freeways in and around Gauteng as toll roads, and set up electronic gantries.
They also wanted permission to lodge the application, despite it being outside of the time limits. The ruling follows an interdict against tolls, which was later thrown out by the Constitutional Court.
It is not yet clear when the controversial project will come into effect as tariffs still need to be determined, and the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill still has to be passed by Parliament, which does not reconvene until February.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions has said it will continue to protest against the system and has added its voice to those others calling on people to not buy e-tags.
Sanral says in a statement that the attack on the e-tolling Web site was detected by Gauteng e-toll operator, Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) on Thursday afternoon and successfully blocked at the external firewall level.
"Sanral is pleased with ETC's preparedness and handling of the situation and assures e-toll account holders and all road users of the integrity of the system and the information it holds." It says the system is fully functional and an investigation is underway to determine the source of the attack.
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