The National Consumer Commission (NCC) will in two weeks make a ruling on Gauteng's e-tolling system.
The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) yesterday said it would issue revised terms and conditions for the controversial system, at the end of its engagement with the NCC, and before e-tolling commences.
The NCC, after the four-hour hearing that took place between Sanral and the Democratic Alliance (DA) yesterday, said it would make a ruling in about two weeks.
However, the system is set to become operational in roughly two weeks, on 30 April, raising questions about whether it will now be implemented on time.
Motorists will need time to register for e-tags once the new terms and conditions are in place, so that they may benefit from the applicable discounts.
Sanral did not respond to ITWeb's requests for comment by the time of publication.
Public pressure
DA Gauteng spokesperson Neil Campbell says both sides were given a fair hearing by the NCC yesterday.
“We are confident that provisions that contravene the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) will be struck down. Public pressure is effective, as Sanral has already indicated they will revise the e-toll terms and conditions.
“Despite this, we believe that the best interests of the consumer will be served by the scrapping of the entire system.”
Backtracking
In January, several parties, including the SA National Consumer Union, said the terms and conditions linked to the e-toll contract when users register for e-tags, are unlawful and violate the Financial Services Act and the Consumer Protection Act, which protects consumers from unfair, unreasonable and unjust practices.
In February, NCC commissioner Mamodupi Mohlala told ITWeb that the terms and conditions in the contract are “contrary to the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act”.
Despite previously defending the terms and conditions of the e-toll contract, Sanral now says it has taken public concern into consideration and this is the reason for the revised terms. It previously attempted to address all allegations of the conditions being unlawful.
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