E-tolls decision to be announced in a fortnight

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the final decision on the e-tolls system will be announced in two weeks’ time.

Mbalula was set to make the announcement on Thursday but postponed it due to the need for further deliberations.

Briefing the media in Cape Town late on Thursday afternoon, Mbalula said Cabinet is yet to finalise a decision on the future of the unpopular user-pay system.

This comes a day after Finance Minister Tito Mboweni once again urged motorists to pay their toll fees during his mid-term budget speech.

But Mbalula said Mboweni’s comments should not be taken out of context.

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"The fundamental issue is there is no cabinet decision to be communicated in terms of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.”

He also announced that seven alternatives were considered to pay for the upgraded to the roads, including scrapping the system, keeping it as it is, the introduction of a public transport fund and additional fuel levies.

"We will arrive at a final decision in the next two weeks,” Mbalula said.