E-toll stores in malls across Gauteng were quiet on Wednesday ahead of the arrival of the controversial electronic tolling of the province’s highways next week.<\/p>\n
People who were interviewed expressed anger and confusion ahead of its implementation next Tuesday, after several failed attempts in court by civil society groups to have the system canned.<\/p>\n
At the Menlyn Park shopping centre, at least 15 men were seen at the e-toll shop after midday.<\/p>\n
Samuel Mosoane said that although he disagreed with e-tolling, he wanted an e-tag so that he did not get into trouble with the law.<\/p>\n
He described e-tolling as “an unnecessary expense”.<\/p>\n
While the interview was being carried out, a security guard identified as Jan Skosana told the Sapa reporter to leave the premises if she did not have evidence of permission obtained to interview people at the mall.<\/p>\n
She was asked by security to leave, and escorted out when she was found interviewing people, as were Sapa reporters visiting the e-toll retail outlets at Maponya mall in Soweto, and Bonaero Centre in Kempton Park,<\/p>\n
Outside the shopping centre in Menlyn Park, Ouma Lerutla said the e-tolling system was unfair, but she would get an e-tag because she had no choice.<\/p>\n
“If I don’t get one, I will then be in trouble with them,” she said.<\/p>\n
Katlego Tibame said he would not get an e-tag unless he was caught by law enforcement officials.<\/p>\n
“E-tolls are just an added expense for motorists. I think that the government should scrap it completely.”<\/p>\n
At the Cresta mall in Randburg, 10 people were queueing in the e-toll outlet before midday with some seeking clarity on the e-tags, and others buying them.<\/p>\n
Amanda Hobbs from Stellenbosch said her family was travelling all over the country and heading to KwaZulu-Natal after their trip in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n
“We need to know if we need an e-tag for this. We are here to get some information,” she said.<\/p>\n
Their adult daughter, Natalie Hobbs, said they were abiding by the law.<\/p>\n
John Clarke from Johannesburg said: “I want to know what the alternative charges are for alternative users. If I refuse to pay as an alternate user, will I be prosecuted under the Sanral Act or Aarto?”<\/p>\n
“Is it going to be enforced by the SA Police Service, the metro police or by Sanral?”<\/p>\n
At a quiet Cedar Square shopping centre in Fourways, there were only four people inside the e-tag shop around 11.30am.<\/p>\n
A shop assistant, who refused to be named, said he had a busy couple of days, but the process was running smoothly.<\/p>\n
“It has been busy but it takes about eight to 10 minutes to register,” he said. “We have had no glitches so far.”<\/p>\n
He said customers were from mixed age groups.<\/p>\n
A customer, Janet Edmiston from Johannesburg, said: “I am not happy at all. I am forced to get an e-tag, else I would end up paying more.”<\/p>\n
She said she did not use the highways a lot, but from time to time it was necessary. She also felt it was unfair that only some people were granted exemptions.<\/p>\n
At the San Ridge Square in Midrand, seven people were seen inside the shop before 1pm.<\/p>\n
An employee, Daisy Tladi, said people were not coming in big numbers –with about 20 people registering a day.<\/p>\n
A man, who did not want to be named, said he felt people were being cornered into buying e-tags. Another customer said she wanted to comply with the law.<\/p>\n
At the Centurion mall, where five people were in line, one customer said he was avoiding a last-minute rush.<\/p>\n
In the mall, Chrisna Botha, 32, said she would not register, and would simply avoid the tolled highways.<\/p>\n
Amos Sejake, who works in Rivonia, said e-tolls put “holes in peoples’ pockets”.<\/p>\n
At the Bonaero centre in Kempton Park, a 71-year-old pensioner, giving his first name as Sydney, said he did not earn a salary and did not have enough money for e-tolling.<\/p>\n
“I feel with my age I should also… enjoy the same benefit [being exempted]. Therefore I will not be participating in the e-tolls.<\/p>\n
“The money used to develop this ridiculous system could have been used to deliver services for poor people who are constantly protesting.”<\/p>\n
A shop assistant said most people preferred the pre-paid option.<\/p>\n
In other big malls, like the East Rand mall, e-toll shops were busy and constantly had queues, she said.<\/p>\n
At Maponya mall in Soweto, e-toll shop assistants refused to speak to the media.<\/p>\n
Customer Tseliso Mohotsi said he was not happy with e-tolls but he would buy them to avoid penalties.<\/p>\n
“I use the N1 and N14 daily, which means I’ll be spending almost R480 per month and that’s unfair,” he said.<\/p>\n
Gugu Cindi came to the outlet to find out more about the system as she still did not understand why she had to pay for it.<\/p>\n
“I feel like the government doesn’t have our interests at heart… why should I pay when I’m already paying tax?”<\/p>\n
Cindi was unsure about whether to register.<\/p>\n
Sasavona Baloyi said: “I will only support e-tolls if the government says it’s a criminal offence not to have an e-tag.”<\/p>\n
E-toll fines, jail time and criminal records: the truth<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n E-tolls: pay up or else<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n DA launches new anti-e-toll billboards<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n E-tolls get a start date<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n E-tolls to help fight apartheid legacy?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n