ROGERIO DE OLIVEIRA writes via Facebook:
I was taken aback by the unexpected roadblock by SANRAL on Thursday, October 2 at about 1pm.
As I was about to turn at the Pomona off-ramp onto the R21 (Pomona Road), I saw several motorists franticly making split decision u-turns to avoid driving towards the e-toll marked vehicles supported by the metro police as they forced traffic into a bottleneck.
It was a miracle that no accidents occurred as drivers were swerving away from the clutches of the intimidating e-toll obstacle forcing them to take alternative routes.
As I approached, I prepared myself for a verbal confrontation, assuming that one of the officers or SANRAL members would confront me about not having an e-toll tag. With my fists clutching my fake-leather patched steering-wheel, I scouted for the unfortunate officer who would cross my path.
Surprisingly I saw the strong arm of the law simply standing by as motorists were forced to squeeze themselves through the pointless barricade of SANRAL’s subliminal intimidation point.
Visible policing I get, but “visible e-toll check points”, for what? I find these sort of actions nothing more than childish bullying tactics.
Bear in mind that no officer or SANRAL agents are lawfully allowed to stop you and ask why you do not have an e-tag. As I passed their check point I observed that I was being recorded by an onboard SANRAL camera as I slowly passed. What was this for?
Was it to install fear into my subconscious that one day, if I don’t get an e-tag, then the e-toll boogie man might get me? Come on! Too much tax payers money are being squandered and attempting to make the public cough up and pay more, is absurd.
I am proudly against e-toll and I will retaliate to any bullying tactics implemented by flexing SANRAL muscles.
