Cloned number plate results in Gauteng e-toll bill for South Coast woman
She was advised by Sanral to complete a representation form to dispute the invoice.
Cloned number plates are helping some criminals escape Gauteng’s e-toll fees and the criminals have targeted a South Coast woman.
Just last week the woman was slapped with and e-toll bill amounting to R1 500. She had only been to Gauteng in December 2016 and in August 2017 with her current vehicle. Now this is the interesting part – she has been received statements for e-tolls in Gauteng for a motorbike, a bakkie and a trailer which she does not even own, and yet all the vehicles bear her five-digit NPS number plate.
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“It is not fair that any traffic fine, whether parking, speeding or e-toll, that is incurred by a criminal using a fake number plate will fall to the legitimate owner of the vehicle to pay. This is criminal and I would like to know what the authorities are doing about it.”
The South Coast woman was advised by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) to complete a representation form to dispute the invoice. The agency claimed disputes could be resolved in less than two weeks, and had indicated it would look into the matter and get back to her in 21 working days.
Zurika Louw, of the South African Number Plate association (Sana), said that cloning a number plate is very easy. According to Ms Louw anyone can purchase the materials needed to clone a plastic number plate at a sign shop or hardware store.
Ms Louw said that cloning an aluminium number plate is far more difficult and needs special equipment. However, a lack of regulation in South Africa on number plates makes it easy for criminals and illegal number plate outlets to create cloned plates.
She said that they would be working with law enforcement agencies to try to combat this scourge.
Sanral said numerous road users had complained about incorrect e-toll bills, with some motorists who have never travelled on Gauteng’s roads receiving large invoices from Sanral.
To lodge a dispute, the following information is needed:
1 The relevant nomination or representation form, signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.
2 Details of the specific e-toll transaction/s that are being disputed.
3 A sworn affidavit stating in detail why the transactions are disputed and relevant supporting documentation.
4 In the case of a nomination, a certified copy of the nominated driver’s licence or ID is needed.
The representation forms can be submitted at an e-toll Customer Service Centre or by registered mail to the Violations Processing Centre (VPC), Private Bag X164, Centurion 0046. Forms are also available on the e-toll website www.sanral.co.za or from your nearest Customer Service Centre, (locations and trading hours can be found on the e-toll website).
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