E-tag - did you know it works on roots?

I have registered for e-toll by buying 3 e-tags. (Don't ask). I live about 150km away from central Gauteng and only travel there occasionally.

Little over a week ago I went to Pretoria on business and my e-tag would not open booms on the N4 Magalies toll route, it did not even beep - not faulty, just not working. I paid in cash, but it defies the purpose of having an e-tag.

In Johannesburg it worked fine so I proceeded home. I wrote an email to SANRAL to explain that my e-tag was apparently not activated on the N4 route, but got a generic answer that I have to take my e-tag to the nearest customer care centre so that it could be changed if the batteries were flat. But if it was my fault I had to pay something like R150. My address is clearly listed on the email as they had my client number and I rep**** that if they read the previous email it was clearly something on their side - not a faulty e-tag. I also asked whether they would sponsor my fuel if I brought it in and it wasn't a fault with the e-tag - around R300 for the return trip. Not taking into account time wasted.

The answer I got was 'Please advise which tag number is not active on certain roots for us to be able to assist accordingly.' I didn't know that plants were involved, combined with the fact that if you have my client number you surely have my tag number? I have 3 tags, but can't they all be checked for being active or is that too much to ask? I was also, just by the way, informed of my balance - I am a prepaid customer - why would that be relevant? I also was again referred to visit the plazas along the N4 route...****her and ****her away from my home.

Money money money - always in demand. Service - no where in sight.