Tolling defaulters not off hook

09 September 2016 - 08:50 By TMG Digital

There is no agreement yet on taking to the courts a test case that might invalidate e-tolls summonses. This is according to the SA National Roads Agency in response to a claim by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse that the agency had agreed that Outa's 25,000 members would be immune from legal claims over the non-payment of e-tolls, pending the finalisation of a test case."It is nothing more than a fundraising exercise by Outa," Sanral spokesman Vusi Mona said. "Going to the media with a statement that an agreement exists is a clear misrepresentation."Mona said the legal teams representing the agency and Outa were in discussions about a test case.In June, Sanral issued 6,500 summonses to motorists for not paying e-tolls. Outa's plea has been for the courts to hear a test case, or cases, to determine the lawfulness of the summonses.Outa chairman Wayne Duvenage said Sanral had, in correspondence with Outa, agreed not to proceed with claims against Outa members until three test cases involving unpaid tolling bills had been finalised.Mona said Sanral had indicated that it agreed in principle to such a process, but an agreement could not be reached until Outa had set out its legal defences."This will only occur once Outa has pleaded to one of the matters, which it has not yet done."Mona said a test case would lessen the burden on the courts and reduce the costs of all parties. ..

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