DA shadow minister of transport, Manny de Freitas, says that he has been inundated with calls and emails from Gauteng motorists who have been threatened by Sanral at various roadblocks over e-tags.<\/p>\n
“Motorists have shared their experiences with me of how they have been intimidated and threatened by Sanral and traffic officials. Motorists were being intimidated and threatened into registering with e-tolls,” he said.<\/p>\n
“This is simply illegal and criminal. Motorists must not be intimidated in any way. There is no compulsion and no legislation to force anyone to sign up to e-tolls. In any case, if such legislation were to exist it would not pass constitutional muster.”<\/p>\n
Sanral has denied<\/a> reports that it, in conjunction with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) are stopping motorists to check whether they are e-tagged.<\/p>\n The Justice Project South Africa (JPSA), said recently that it also received calls from Gauteng motorists regarding roadblocks and intimidation.<\/p>\n “It is clear that Sanral is desperate to increase its e-toll subscriptions. It also is desperate to improve its income as clearly the peaceful resistance campaign by the public is working,” the DA’s de Freitas said.<\/p>\n “I am writing to Sanral CEO, Nazir Alli requesting to meet him to discuss this most concerning matter.”<\/p>\n The DA said that when stopped at those roadblocks and one is made to feel uncomfortable, a driver should ask the officer to produce his\/her certificate of appointment and take note of his\/her name and traffic authority he\/she works for.<\/p>\n The Officer is obliged to identify him- or herself. Should the officer refuse to do so, simply take note of the registration number of the official vehicle on site, the political party said.<\/p>\n “Officials may not make enquiries into e-tolls and whether one is registered or not. Nothing obliges one to respond to these questions. Do not be intimidated.”<\/p>\nMore on e-tolls<\/h3>\n