E-toll office evacuated after anthrax scare

GAUTENG motorists can anticipate more problems with e-tolling as the National Roads Agency confirms disruptions to its Central Operations Centre (COC) following an anthrax scare.

About 1 000 staff members were evacuated from Sanral’s COC building in Midrand yesterday afternoon after “a suspicious envelope containing a white substance was found on the premises”, said spokesman Vusi Mona.

He said security reacted promptly and the Tshwane Hazardous Material Unit was called, resulting in a complete shutdown of electricity and evacuation of the building.

Mona said the disruption would affect the Gauteng highway e-tolling system. “We apologise to motorists for any inconvenience this will cause. We condemn this type of action in the strongest possible terms. It is tantamount to sabotage,” said Mona.

He could not confirm if the “white substance ” had been verified to be anthrax.

Gauteng police yesterday said they were not notified of the possible poison scare. –