Gauteng’s electronic tolls (e-tolls) are being shut down, but motorists are still expected to pay their outstanding debts, and the other services associated with the system will remain in place.
This is according to new documents produced by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral), shared by Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi.
The information pack includes frequently asked questions about the e-toll shutdown, which occurred at 23:59:59 on 11 April 2024.
Motorists must pay their e-toll debt
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga confirmed that road users with outstanding e-toll debts will be required to settle their accounts.
This was corroborated by the National Treasury, which states that Sanral has an obligation to take effective and appropriate steps to collect all money due to it.
However, the various stakeholders have yet to discuss how the matter of e-toll collections will be enforced, said Chikunga.
Importantly, Sanral will not pursue criminal action against motorists with outstanding debts, following a decision made in March 2019 that remains in place.
E-toll invoices were issued until the deadline on 11 April, and road users are obligated to pay all invoices up till this date. It’s noted that, due to delays with the postal service, invoices issued before the closure date may only be received some time after 12 April.
Motorists may also receive a letter of demand for outstanding e-toll obligations, which must be acted upon accordingly, said Sanral.
Individuals who wish to pay their fees can do so after the shutdown date by visiting any customer service branch in select Gauteng malls or at most toll plaza offices around the country.
You can also get in touch with Sanral customer services in one of the following ways:
- Phone the call centre on 0800 726 725 (06h00 to 22h00, 7 days a week)
- Download the Sanral mobile app on Android or iOS devices
- Online at http://www.sanral.co.za/e-toll
- Email [email protected]
New Sanral accounts can be registered using the agency’s website, mobile app, or by visiting a toll plaza office.
Alternatively, you can find a self-service terminal (SST) along one of the following toll routes:
- Total Energies Petroport Panorama West, N1, Doornpoort
- Total Energies Petroport Magalies, N4, Modderspruit
- Shell Ultra City Kroondal East, N4, Kroondal
All new accounts registered after 20 April 2024 will not incur “historical” e-toll transactions, referring to unpaid fees accrued going past the last 30 days.
Sanral services will remain in place
Going forward, a Sanral account can be used to pay for parking at participating facilities around Gauteng, which users can opt into using the app.
The service allows parking booths to scan a car’s number plate and charge it to an associated account, and Sanral ultimately plans to expand this system nationwide.
Another service is that e-toll gantries are able to monitor a vehicle’s average speed over distance (ASOD), and drivers can opt in to be notified via their phone app to find out whether they exceeded the speed limit between two points.
Right now, this system is for information purposes only and will not result in speeding fines being issued.
The system also allows Sanral to detect cloned number plates by monitoring the location of a plate and seeing whether it shows up in two different locations.
Public transport users with Sanral accounts can access an Account Based Ticketing solution, which is facilitated by Sanral in partnership with the Department of Transport, public transport operators, and local municipalities.
This system has been rolled out across two pilot programmes in the last year in Rustenburg and Polokwane, and gives consumers a card that can be used as a payment method with participating public transport services.
Finally, motorists that have an e-tag installed on their car can continue to use them at traditional toll plazas in the express lane.
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