Cabinet still discussing e-tolls, says Mthembu
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu says a final decision still needs to be made on the future of the unpopular e-toll system in Gauteng.
Mthembu told a post cabinet media briefing in Cape Town on Thursday that the matter still needs to be concluded.
“That matter is before cabinet as we speak. It has not been concluded,” he said.
An announcement on the user-pay system was expected to be made by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Thursday.
However, the press briefing on the issue was postponed to allow for further consultations to take place.
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on Wednesday, also reiterated his stance that government would retain the user pay principle, but said a reconfigured system would be introduced.
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[LISTEN] Mboweni hints that e-tolls are here to stay
During Wednesday's mini budget, minister Tito Mboweni told MPs that several options have been considered to resolve the stand-off over the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. However, he briefly hinted that the user-pay system is here to stay. "Honourable members, not paying your tolls is not an option," he said to howls from MPs.