E-toll roadblocks under investigation

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has appointed an independent investigator to look into the e-toll roadblocks that allegedly took place last month. This is despite the agency previously calling the allegations “malicious rumours”.

Twitter users took to the social network to complain about an allegedly illegal roadblock by Sanral traffic officers, where they were stopped and told they have to register for the controversial e-tolling system, or get fined.

At the time, Sanral said the allegations were a complete hoax, stemming from driver confusion. The agency said its initial investigations suggested the original Twitter incident possibly originated from a road user who saw e-toll workers conducting a road-marking operation, and interpreted that as some form of e-toll roadblock.

The agency emphasised that no staff, from the agency or its toll operator, ETC, have conducted any roadblocks, as described in the e-mails and social network postings that alleged this. However, Sanral board chairperson Tembakazi Mnyaka this morning confirmed to ITWeb that Deloitte was appointed on 7 February to investigate the matter.

“It's because we have been repeatedly asking the public to come forward with details of where the roadblocks are happening, but the allegations are continuing so we have to do a forensic investigation, because it's not us or ETC. We have to find out who it is, because it is actually criminal activity.”

One Twitter user, @VermiTrade, previously said it happened on the Linksfield onramp onto the N3 north. “I asked them for the legislation which forces me to register at an illegal roadblock. They let me go.”

Democratic Alliance Gauteng transport spokesperson Neil Campbell says the official opposition welcomes the investigation.

“However, it would carry more weight if Sanral was not the one paying the bill for the investigation by Deloitte.” He adds that, while Deloitte has a respectable record, its duty is to report back to the organisation that hired it - in this case Sanral - and any adverse finding can be withheld from release to the public.

“Sanral has deservedly already earned a reputation for arrogance and withholding information which should be in the public domain. Until such time as the minister appoints a truly independent roads authority, public suspicion will remain high in these matters.”