The threats made to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) at its Central Operations Centre in Samrand, Johannesburg, in an attempt to destabilise its operations have been condemned in the strongest possible terms by Dipuo Peter, the minister of transport.

“There are elements in society hellbent on undermining the peace and security of their fellow citizens. These backward and uncivilised individuals have elected to ignore all platforms made available to them by our Constitution to raise whatever concerns they may have,” says Peters.

The Minister says government, consistent with its commitment to uphold democratic practices, has never threatened or intimidated any individual or organized formations who have previously demonstrated to share their views on the system of tolling.

Peters adds, “This is an attack not only on SANRAL, but on our Constitution which guarantees peace and security for all citizens of our Republic. All peace-loving citizens must condemn these regressive tendencies. We call on law enforcement authorities to do all within their powers to bring the perpetrators of these acts to book.”

The Minister says what the perpetrators of such crimes do not realize is that their illicit acts are diverting the attention of law enforcement authorities and emergency medical personnel from their core mandate of ensuring peace and stability; and the health of citizens in the country.

“Someone’s life could be in real danger at the time such hoaxes are made. Instead of attending to those whose lives are genuinely in danger, officers are preoccupied with attending to these false alarms,” concludes Peters.