Sanral CEO resigns

Alli’s resignation comes a week after a court ruling halting the multi-billion rand e-tolling project and allowing for a review of the initiative which was scheduled to start on 30 April.

CEO of the South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral), Nazir Alli, has resigned.

CEO of the South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral), Nazir Alli, has resigned.

Alli’s resignation comes a week after a court ruling halting the multi-billion rand e-tolling project and allowing for a review of the initiative which was scheduled to start on 30 April.

Chairperson of the board, Tembakazi Mnyaka, said that during a meeting on Monday, the board had accepted Alli’s resignation. Alli has agreed to continue in his post until 3 June 2012.

As CEO, Alli, had led the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) – an initiative which will lead to the upgrade or construction of approximately 500 kms or road around the Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni metros.

Over R20 billion was invested in the GFIP through government guaranteed bonds. However, following widespread outcry from motorists, trade unions and business federations on proposed e-tolling fares – government made another R5.75billion available to Sanral for the project.

Introduced in a phased plan and design approach, the project will introduce and open road tolling system which will electronically charge drivers per kilometre as they pass gantries erected across designated toll roads.

The system allows for tolls to be automatically charged without vehicles stopping or slowing down. When the vehicle enters the toll area, the electronic equipment will photograph the front and rear number plate, read the e-tag on the vehicle, verify the tag if is linked to the specific vehicle and have an account linked to it.

In a statement, the board thanked Alli for his contribution since the inception of Sanral in 1998.

It added the immediate focus and priority of the board was to ensure that Sanral continued to perform its essential role in operating and maintaining more than 16 000km of national roads across the country.

“As announced in recent weeks, processes have been initiated at national government level to address the variety of issues involved in the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and e-tolling,” Mnyaka said.