Johannesburg - E-toll defaulters may receive civil summonses in the “next few days” in various jurisdictions across Gauteng.
This as the South African National Roads Agency Limited tries to recoup money owed to it by motorists.
On Monday Sanral warned “road users who have persistently refused to settle their e-toll debt” that sheriffs of the courts would serve the first set of summonses.
E-toll collectors to recoup millions
Sanral spokesman Vusi Mona said it was targeting all road users, including those who had not registered to pay e-tolls.
“All motorists making use of our tolled roads in Gauteng must pay,” Mona said when asked about a statement issued regarding the summonses. He said road users who had not registered their vehicles to avoid paying would be traced and compelled to pay.
“All the cars that pass under the gantries are recorded. We use the details to trace the owners. They must know that they will also receive summonses even if they have not registered.”
Mona could not say whether the courts would have the capacity to handle the cases of thousands of people who are not paying e-tolls.
Attempts by Sanral and the government to get people to pay have been frustrated by what appears to be mass civil disobedience.
According to Sanral, the decision to issue summonses follows extensive communications between the agency and motorists who have neglected paying outstanding debts.
SERIAL DEFAULTERS
Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project manager Alex van Niekerk said: It’s a natural conclusion to the process. The summonses will also include higher value summonses of mostly companies.
“Due to the amount owed in these cases, the summons has to be managed by the high court.”
Van Niekerk said civil summons should not be confused with criminal proceedings.
“It is similar to not have paying any commercial accounts and should not be confused with a criminal case.”
He said motorists had been afforded a reasonable time to pay off their debts.
“Since the introduction of the 60 percent discount of e-toll debt in November 2015, Sanral has made it quite clear it will also introduce a process of debt collection against serial defaulters.
“Sanral has a responsibility towards the country and the thousands of compliant vehicle owners who regularly pay their e-toll accounts to recover the outstanding debt from defaulters,” he said.
He added: “We have an obligation to act. The global ratings agencies and the investment community are also looking to Sanral and expect from us to demonstrate our commitment to financial responsibility and high standards of corporate governance.”
Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse chairman Wayne Duvenage vowed to fight the summonses in court, saying Sanral had no legal grounds for pursuing people who had not signed contracts to pay.
“How can they hold liable somebody who hasn't signed an agreement with them?” he said.
The Star