E-toll moans accelerate

Frustrated motorists have complained to the National Consumer Commission and the public protector over the e-tolls billing system.

The commission said complaints lodged had increased from six in January to 71 as motorists voiced their unhappiness with the agency's billing problems.

Commission head Ebrahim Mohamed said complaints included:

• Sanral incorrectly billing the previous owner of a vehicle;
• Consumers handed over to the collection division without receiving invoices from Sanral;
• Consumers purchasing an e-tag but being unable to register online on the Sanral system;
• Sanral unable to provide an invoice and proof that the consumer used the e-tolled road; and
• Sanral incorrectly billing a consumer who has never used the highway.

Mohamed said the complaints would be referred to Sanral as the commission preferred that individual complaints be resolved by the agency.

"It is only when the matter is not resolved at source that the NCC will intervene," he said.

Public Protector spokesman Kgalalelo Masibi said it had received at least 18 complaints about Sanral's billing system.

"There is no decision yet on whether the public protector will investigate. The assessment process for jurisdiction and merit is still under way," said Masibi.

Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance spokesman Johan Clarke said it had received at least 1849 complaints since January about Sanral's billing system.