After the article in last week’s Advertiser (E-tolling still a huge problem, January 16) residents still feel Sanral does not explain the procedure properly.
Sanral spokesman Vusi Mona says the violation and debt collection process takes place if the e-toll transaction is not paid within seven days and then it is transferred to the Violations Processing Centre (VPC), which deals with overdue toll amounts.
But Springs resident Fred Jones, feels Sanral should explain when the seven days start.
“I received an email stating that I owe R165, a reference number was given and a contact number for Sanral,” says Jones.
But, he says, nowhere does it say when the seven-day grace period actually starts and he wants to know if it starts after receiving the SMS or email or when you receive your invoice.
“I travelled early in December and only received the email in January, but I do not know why I must contact Sanral for an invoice,” he says.
He believes a person pays an account after receiving an invoice.
But according to Mona the seven-day grace period starts from the day you pass the gantry.
Another Springs resident Angie du Plessis, received an SMS first notifying her that she owes R92.97 and it should be paid immediately otherwise she will handed over to the VPC.
She says she will still not register, but she went to an e-toll booth in Sunward Park and was forced to stand in a long queue.
According to du Plessis many people queued up with her on the day, but they all said they will not register.
“I have never been prosecuted and after receiving the SMS stating that I will be handed over I felt it was best to pay the amount within the 30-day period,” she adds.
“I was a bit scared to not pay but was quite surprised when I was given a 60% discount on the amount,” she says.
She concludes by saying Sanral was true to their word about discounts.
