Cabinet has approved a new bill that will allow government to take action in civil courts against people who dodge e-tolls, The Star newspaper reported on Friday.
The Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill was approved by cabinet in anticipation of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), which has been halted.
Toll evaders could face garnishment orders against their pay slips or attachment of their property if they refuse to pay fees or fines. “The bill has been necessitated by the development of the GFIP, as well as future plans for the development of road infrastructure,” government spokesman Jimmy Manyi was quoted as saying.
“The bill is essential to enable the implementation of the electronic toll collection system,” he said.
On 28 April, the high court in Pretoria handed down an order preventing Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a judicial review.
The court will hear arguments in the e-toll case on 26 November. — Sapa