Independent forensic investigation launched into Gauteng E-toll road blocks

Following an email sent by Justice Project SA National Chairman to SANRAL board members with respect to the roadblocks which took place on Sunday 22 January 2012, audit firm Deloitte and Touche has been commissioned to conduct an “independent forensic investigation” into the claims.

This after SANRAL announced on its website and in releases to the media on 30 January 2012 “The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to unequivocally state that no staff from either SANRAL or its toll operator, ETC, have conducted any roadblocks as described in the emails and social network postings that allege this.” (Original release available here)

The investigation was commissioned on Tuesday 7 February 2012 and Howard Dembovsky met with investigator, Advocate Tommy Prins (SC) on Friday 10 February to give him a background as to what happened on 22 January. “Due to the fears of reprisal expressed by people who were stopped in these roadblocks, we are unable to provide SANRAL or Deloitte with the names and contact details of these people, but I can assure you that they are very real people, with very real fears” said Dembovsky.

Since then, it has been noted that no announcement has been made by SANRAL or Deloitte with respect to this investigation. In fact, the chronological list of press releases on the SANRAL website is that of 30 January 2012 stating “SANRAL: Zero truth in latest e-toll roadblock hoax.”

In the interests of providing the investigator at Deloitte with as much information as is possible to enable him to conduct this investigation, JPSA would like to call on anyone who was stopped at the roadblock on the Linksfield Road onramp to the N3 South – or at any other place and told that they must register for eTolling or face a hefty fine to either contact the investigator or JPSA.
The “buzz” around this roadblock that took place on Twitter on Sunday 22 January 2012 originated from a number of tweets received by @PigSpotter, who subsequently contacted JPSA and went out to take photographs of the roadblock. These photographs were taken just as the roadblock was packing up.

There is currently no legislation in force that compels anyone to purchase an eTag or register with SANRAL for eTolling under the Open Road Tolling (ORT) and the Gauteng eTolling project has, according to multiple media reports, been suspended until further notice.

The following individuals may be contacted if members of the public have any information:
Deloitte & Touche
Advocate Tommy Prins (SC)
Tel: 011 806 5484 or 012 482 0262
Direct Fax: 011 388 5005
Cell: 082 824 2815
Email: tprins@deloitte.co.za

Justice Project South Africa
Howard Dembovsky – 082 418 6210 – email howard@jp-sa.org