An independent investigation has cleared the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) of allegations that it set up illegal roadblocks in January.
The independent probe found no direct witnesses and nothing to support the claims, says the agency. It adds that no evidence exists to support the claims that it, or its suppliers, conducted roadblocks and threatened motorists on the N3, at Linksfield Road, or at any other point.
The investigation was undertaken by auditing firm Deloitte and was headed by Tommy Prins, director of risk advisory at the firm.
"In spite of the independent nature of the investigation, the reputation of the investigators and repeated assurances that identities would be protected, no one with evidence of any roadblock came forward," says Sanral.
Marking roads
The agency says it commissioned Deloitte to undertake an independent investigation, after publication and broadcast of media reports containing allegations that it was responsible for illegal roadblocks on 22 January.
It was alleged that members of the public were threatened with severe fines in order to coerce them into registering for e-tags for the controversial Gauteng e-tolling system.
"Sanral's own investigation showed that there were no roadblocks, but that a team from a contractor had been doing road markings on the day in question. As a result of the continuing accusations, Sanral appointed a forensic investigation team from Deloitte to conduct an independent investigation."
The agency says it provided all the information regarding the allegations and the contact details of those who had raised complaints with Sanral to the investigators.
More than a dozen employees deemed by the investigators to be relevant to their enquiries were interviewed. "Further interviews were conducted with the representative of the Justice Project SA and an executive member of the Edenvale Community Police Forum. Two members of the public came forward with information, but the investigators established that they were not stopped in roadblocks by any Sanral official and these incidents were unrelated to those mentioned in the media."
Sanral also invited the members of the public to provide any information pertaining to the alleged roadblocks through its fraud hotline.
"Despite the calls for witnesses and information, no one contacted the investigators with evidence relevant to the alleged roadblock on 22 January 2012, at Linksfield Road. Furthermore, no evidence was provided by anyone about a roadblock at any other site. It was accordingly concluded that the allegations remained unsubstantiated."
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