Since Gauteng’s e-Tolls went live in December last year, there have been reports from users who say they’ve been pulled over by either JMPD or SANRAL staff, and told that they have to buy e-Tags.

SANRAL has now issued a release denying this. In its release, the roads operator says that it has become aware of an email campaign that’s doing the rounds, spreading misinformation. It reassures road users that it will not act outside of the law. Currently, the only laws users have to abide by are payment of e-Toll fees, but e-Tag ownership is not a legal requirement.

“There is an email making the rounds which warns road users of illegal roadblocks on the e-roads which are purportedly conducted by SANRAL and the JMPD in order to force road users to buy e-tags. SANRAL would like to set the record straight on two points,” says SANRAL’s Vusi Mona. Previously he’d addressed the issue of scam emails and text messages with a less-than-favourable retort, telling one road user, “raise your IQ“.

Mona also adds that there won’t be any mass action taken by the roads agency forcing users to buy e-Tags. ““There are no such roadblocks planned and no individual or organisation including, SANRAL, can force road users to obtain an e-tags,” he says, and reiterated that white e-Tags let users qualify for lower rates, purchasing one is voluntary.

JMPD’s Wayne Minnaar also adds that his department has not issued any instructions for road blocks or e-tags checks to be conducted. He suggests that people remain skeptical of these spurious claims – especially ones that aren’t officially from either SANRAL or the JMPD.

This communication also marks the first time that SANRAL is proactively addressing concerns. Educating road users, and making them aware of the official stance, is a step in the right direction.

SANRAL advises that motorists who are stopped by people claiming to be from SANRAL or the JMPD should immediately contact the SANRAL fraud hotline on 0800204558. JMPD’s anti-corruption hotline is 0800 203 712.