Researcher in court for false number plates to avoid paying e-tolls

04 October 2014 - 13:02 By Sapa
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E-toll gantry. File photo
E-toll gantry. File photo

A researcher from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court for allegedly using fake number plates to avoid paying e-tolls, according to a report.

Beeld newspaper reported on Saturday that prosecutor David Broughton this week told the court that Stoyan Hristov Stoychev has been using false number plates since March.

"In August he replaced the fake number plates with correct registration numbers. He drove around for three days with his own number plates before he changed it with the fake number plates," he was quoted as saying.

According to the report, Stoychev could face "hundreds" of fraud charges for driving on the N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Each toll gantry he passed would be counted as a fraud charge.

Stoychev also allegedly used a second set of fake number plates. One of the plates allegedly belonged to another motorist who is registered for e-tolls.

Broughton said it was a big administrative burden for the SA National Roads Agency Limited.

Stoychev was released on R5000 bail and the case was postponed to December for further investigation.

Sanral launched e-tolling in December as part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.

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