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Just when we thought that the Department of Transport and SANRAL could not get any more devious, they have surprised us all with their latest effort to force motorists to buy eTags. The tariffs listed in Government Gazette Vol. 562 No. 35263 was appropriately released on Friday the 13th of April 2012 to add to anyone’s superstitious beliefs of it being a day of bad luck, and have added a whole new dimension to the intimidatory tactics that the Department of Transport is adopting on this issue.

The addition of an entirely new category of motorist; that of an “alternate user” has been added, wherein the tolling rate of those who do not purchase eTags and register with SANRAL will be expected to pay will be a whopping 580% of the rate that those who do are afforded. During the entire course of last week, SANRAL spokespeople repeatedly stated that people are “not compelled but are encouraged to get eTags to take advantage of the discounts on offer” and at no time did they moot that this surprise was coming.

Is it any wonder that the Treasury made the statement on Friday 13 April that “buying an eTag makes economic sense”? It would appear that “plan A” is most certainly not “plan B” as was stated by Treasury director general Lungisa Fuzile. This “plan” can only be described as pure intimidation and must be viewed with the same malice and contempt with which it was contrived.

Now, more than ever is the time for Gauteng motorists to stand firm and refuse to be intimidated by the bullies in government who seem to be under the impression that they can make economic hardships economic impossibilities. The hearing of the OUTA court challenge on eTolling is laid down for 24 April 2012 and it is our sincere hope that the courts can bring a halt to this looming disaster before Gauteng’s insolvency rate sky-rockets due to the greed of SANRAL and the Department of Transport.