SANRAL denies e-toll roadblocks

In its statement the agency says: "The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to unequivocally state that no staff from either SANRAL or its toll operator, ETC, have conducted any roadblocks as described in the emails and social network postings that allege this.

"The alleged roadblocks were first reported on Twitter on Sunday, 22 January 2012. SANRAL promptly investigated the matter and issued a statement the following day informing road users that SANRAL and ETC employees were not involved in the reported roadblocks.

"SANRAL requests that the public report such incidents to the relevant authorities or to SANRAL's Fraud Hotline free call number 0800 204 558 or email moc.sffo-pit@larnas."

Road marking, not road blocking?

The agency says that its investigations during the course of last week suggest that the original Twitter incident possibly originated from a road user who saw e-toll workers conducting a road-marking operation, and interpreted that as some form of e-toll roadblock. Although traffic cones and a vehicle were present it was part of a road-marking operation and not for forcing people to register. Similar road marking operations are taking place at various interchanges in Gauteng.

"SANRAL reiterates that the agency and ETC are not currently authorised to conduct roadblocks. As indicated, SANRAL urges road users to take down detailed descriptions of the persons and vehicles involved should they be stopped and required to register."