The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) says it is sorry about a derisive comment made by spokesperson Vusi Mona "in jest" during a live radio show yesterday - but says the quip is now "being blown out of proportion".
This comes after Justice Project SA (JPSA) today called on Mona to "do the honourable thing" and resign immediately - failing which he should be dismissed.
JPSA chairperson Howard Dembovsky says Mona responded to a question asked by a listener of Talk Radio 702 and Cape Talk on Wednesday "in a highly-disrespectful and arrogant fashion".
The listener had posed the question (paraphrased): "How do I, as a road user, know that I'm not being scammed, because there are a lot of people who will jump on the bandwagon and try to scam you? How do you guarantee that these SMSes [we are getting demanding e-toll monies] are genuine and not scams?"
Mona's response was: "Very easy. Raise your IQ a little bit" - a comeback JPSA says intimates the spokesperson "has no respect for the public he is supposed to serve - not hurl insults at".
JPSA says as a public servant and an employee of a state-owned enterprise, Mona has a duty to demonstrate respect for members of the public. "He should know better than to openly and blatantly insult a member of the public who was simply asking a legitimate question."
Unreserved apology
In a statement in response to JPSA's call for Mona's badge, the roads agency says: "Sanral regrets the comment Vusi Mona made in jest to the listener who sent a text message questioning the authenticity of the Sanral SMSes received by motorists.
"The agency is of the opinion that [Mona's] comment is now being blown out of proportion by JPSA, as the listener has not followed up with a complaint."
Sanral says it was not Mona's intention to offend the listener, if that was the case, "and [Mona] tenders his apology unreservedly to him/her".
The apology is followed by the assertion that JPSA's call for Mona's resignation is unreasonable. "We know where JPSA stands in relation to e-tolling. Personalising the issue and calling for Vusi Mona's resignation is unreasonable, considering his continued effort to engage the media and motorists while ensuring that issues are clarified and where necessary redirected."
Sanral concludes by urging motorists with e-toll related issues to contact its call centre. "Discussing these issues in the media space, social or otherwise, will not resolve them."
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