The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) is facing waves of criticism, following its announcement to implement e-tolls on KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) roads later this year.
The agency recently announced plans to have e-tolls on the N2 and N3 operational by November, adding they would be an alternative way of collecting existing tolls.
"Instead of paying cash to an attendant at the toll plaza, motorists will purchase e-tags. The discs will have money loaded onto them and will be linked to your account as a debit order or to your credit card," said Sanral in a statement.
But some critics have rounded on the agency, denouncing the move. A Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) statement noted Sanral's announcement with "serious concern", dismissing the agency's remarks that motorists would not face additional charges.
"Their denial that they are just providing optional payment methods is neither here nor there," Cosatu says.
The system has faced resistance from members of the public since its introduction in Gauteng, in December, including a recent boycott by the SA National Taxi Council, which protested the lack of exemption granted to minibus taxis.
Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance chairman Wayne Duvenage says although motorists don't have too much to worry about at the moment, they should be wary of the agency's possible ulterior motives. "One does start to wonder whether this is Sanral's way of getting people to get tagged and accepting electronic tolling."
He says many Gauteng motorists have resisted e-tolling, because of a lack of thorough public consultation before the programme was approved.
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