It’s been four years since the office of the Public Protector announced it would investigate the procurement of the tender for the collection of etolls in Gauteng and it is yet to be concluded.

In 2012 Then Public Protector, was approached by the DA and former Sanral CEO, Nazier Allie, to investigate any irregularities in appointing the Electronic Tolling Collections (ETC), which was said to have a shareholder which used to belong to Saab, linked to the controversial arms deal.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) said it’s is unhappy that the Public Protector has not concluded the investigation, despite the matter being of great public interest, affecting millions of people.

“How the Public Protector prioritised other matters above this issue is of concern. Despite numerous follow ups from the Department of Transport and Sanral, the Public Protector’s Office seems not to have cared,” Scopa Chairperson, Themba Godi, said.

Scopa said it agrees with the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, and Sanral that the agency and the department will follow up with the current Public Protector [Busi Mkhwebane] to ensure that this matter is speedily resolved.

“Scopa had a follow-up hearing with Sanral today where it emerged that among many challenges, etolls are a major contributor to the financial instability at Sanral. Scopa wants to emphasise that the uncertainty around e-tolls needs to be removed,” the committee said.

[Image – CC JMK]