While Sanral is thoroughly aware of the fact that the National Consumer Commission is currently busy investigating the illegality of Sanral’s measuring instruments, it is still trying to threaten road users in an illegal manner with summonses for e-toll accounts, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’ parliamentary spokesperson on Transport, says.
Sanral’s latest threat is that motorists, who have not settled their overdue accounts by midnight tonight, will be civilly sued.
Adv. Alberts says the threat is opportunistic and dishonest, and once again shows Sanral’s contempt for the National Consumer Commission, as well as the Commission’s processes to adjudicate cases.
He said the FF Plus had already submitted a complaint to the Consumer Commission on behalf of all account holders, in which it is argued that Sanral’s measuring instruments do not meet the requirements of the Legal Metrology Act, 9 of 2014.
The National Regulator of Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) had confirmed to the FF Plus that the e-toll equipment had never been certified as required by law. The NRCS also confirmed that Sanral had never applied for certification either.
“Until the Commission makes a finding in the complaint, Sanral is not allowed to issue accounts or take steps to collect fees, as it is possibly contravening the law and all accounts are therefore illegal.
“According to the legal advisers of the FF Plus, any person who is being sued could use the fact that the issue is before the NCC as an argument to have the case postponed. Sanral should take note of the fact that it is a crime to interfere with the activities of the Consumer Commission.
“The FF Plus has already informed the Consumer Commission of Sanral’s contemptuous actions toward the Commission and requested that the Commission accordingly put Sanral on terms.
“The FF Plus, at the request of the Commission, recently held a conciliation meeting with Sanral during which Sanral had acknowledged that it does not have any written proof from the NRCS regarding the legality of its measuring instruments.
“It is clear that any attempt of Sanral to collect fees will be illegal, merely based on this fact. This is in addition to the fact that the whole system is immoral and unconstitutional according to the FF Plus,” Adv. Alberts said.
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