Driver refused licence disk unless he pays his e-tolls
'I strongly urge everybody that find themselves in a situation like this to summons the police and lay a charge'
GERALD ROOS writes:
It is certainly an issue for most of us that the metro has allegedly afforded themselves the right to collect so-called outstanding e-toll fees from law-abiding citizens, tendering payment to renew and receive their vehicle licence discs.
One of the men working for me asked for time off to go and renew his motor vehicle licence at the Kempton Park licensing authority on April 19. He paid R495 in cash to the cashier at about noon on that Tuesday.
After this he was issued with a receipt for the licence, but no licence disk. He was told by the gentleman at the counter he had to pay the e-tolls of R1 200 he owed first, before he would give him a disk.
My employee then returned and told me about this. The next day he sent his brother to the licensing office with my advice that this was not legal and that he was not going to pay the e-tolls and started to kick up a fuss.
Only then was his brother given the disk.
In a communiqué with Rob Hutchinson, executive director communications of OUTA (Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse) I was told such an action is not legal and the issuing and licence renewal cannot be withheld in the case of outstanding e-tolls.
Mr Hutchinson said, in an e-mail to my office, that this has been confirmed by SANRAL and the Department of Transport.
I strongly urge everybody who finds themselves in a situation like this to summon the police and lay a charge against the perpetrating body and against the person behind the counter enforcing this on anyone tendering payment for the issuing of their vehicle licence.
I find it necessary to highlight certain facts and situations that are created by such alleged action.
Firstly, your vehicle will not be legally allowed on the road, causing a possibility of receiving traffic violation fines. Other realities to consider are that your vehicle will not be insured, so stop paying these premiums, as any claim will be repudiated.
Advise your bank that the vehicle financed is no longer insured as a result of the alleged illegal action of the licensing authority.
If the big boys start losing money, their participation will surely help to stop/prevent abuse of this nature.
Do not waver in your determination to combat all similar alleged atrocities, stand fast and deliberate.
Kempton Express referred the matter to the metro for comment on May 4. No reply has been received yet – Editor
