Delivery truck drivers for Premier Foods' bakery division were apparently told to avoid e-toll routes or pay up, the Cape Times reported on Monday.
They were sent a letter stating the tolls were too expensive for the company. It told drivers at the Aeroton bakery in Johannesburg, which made Blue Ribbon bread, they should find alternative routes.
The letter, sent on April 4, reminded drivers that "this is being done in the best interests of our customers and consumers. Any person who uses the e-toll roads will be responsible for the payment thereof".
Premier Foods regional bakeries manager Willie van der Linde told the newspaper he could not say how much the price of bread would increase if drivers used tolled routes. He said keeping the product as cheap as possible was the motivation for this measure.
He said the letter had been an oversight by management, as although drivers were asked to avoid tolls, they would not be penalised if they used them.
Source: Sapa