Zuma wades into e-toll billing mess

 ·3 Feb 2014
ANC e-tolls billboard in Johannesburg

President Jacob Zuma is concerned about incorrect billing by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) for e-tolls in Gauteng, SABC news reported.

“We are often told electronic things don’t commit mistakes. I think it is unacceptable because it is causing an unnecessary problem,” he said in an interview.

“You can’t then bill people wrongly. It is a matter that needs to be fixed, and be fixed very quickly because it undermines an efficient system.”

He said Sanral had to deal with the problem.

“We have raised the matter with them. We have in fact raised the matter very formally with the department [of transport] and with the agency itself and it is a matter they are working on.”

Zuma’s comments follow reports that motorists received threatening SMSes and e-mails demanding payment for e-tolls without verification. Some people reported receiving bills, despite living in a different province and having never used an e-tolled highway.

In October, Zuma was criticised for unfavourably comparing Malawi’s national roads with those of South Africa while trying to justify the e-tolling system.

More on e-tolls

Sanral to blame for e-toll terrorism: Outa

Public protector called in e-toll billing mess

What is really happening behind closed doors at Sanral?

Sanral must stop lying to itself: Outa

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