Sanral said the “decision to issue summonses comes at the end of an extensive period of communications” between itself and “vehicle owners who neglected to pay outstanding debts”.Picture: Simphiwe Nkwali
Sheriffs in different jurisdictions in Gauteng will “over the next few days” be delivering civil summonses to “road users who have persistently refused to settle their e-toll debt”.
The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) said on Monday that the orders will be handed to individuals and “higher value summonses of mostly companies”.
Due to the amount owed in the latter cases‚ said the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project’s Alex van Niekerk‚ “the summons has to be managed by the high court”.
Sanral said the “decision to issue summonses comes at the end of an extensive period of communications” between itself and “vehicle owners who neglected to pay outstanding debts”.
“It is a natural conclusion to the process‚” a statement said.
The agency said that there had been ample warning‚ as since “the introduction of the 60% discount of e-toll debt in November 2015 Sanral has made it quite clear that it will also introduce a process of debt collection against serial defaulters”.
“Sanral has a responsibility towards the country and the thousands of compliant vehicle owners who regularly pay their e-toll accounts to recover the outstanding debt from defaulters‚” said Van Niekerk.
“We have an obligation to act. The global ratings agencies and the investment community are also looking towards Sanral and expect from us to demonstrate our commitment to financial responsibility and high standards of corporate governance.”
Sanral stressed that a “civil summons…should not be confused with a criminal case”.
The post Sheriffs to issue e-toll summonses over the next few days appeared first on HeraldLIVE.