Gauteng govt ‘anxiously’ waiting for e-toll announcement
The Gauteng provincial government says it is "anxiously" waiting for the announcement on the future of the unpopular e-toll system.
The system’s future was thrust in the spotlight again on Thursday morning after MEC Jacob Mamabolo's interview on SAFM, which alluded to the fact that e-tolls would be scrapped.
However, the Gauteng Transport Department was quick to clarify that no decision has been made.
Spokesperson Theo Nkonki says the announcement would be made by the national department.
"As we look forward to the announcement by the national government we reaffirm our view that e-tolling in its current form burdens the Gauteng resident and this matter is a matter that invokes the national economy and those of the neighboring state.
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"As we anxiously wait for the decision, the provincial government believes that it has put forward a compelling government for the scrapping of e-tolls."
Meanwhile, OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage says if Mamabolo's initial announcement was true, then the MEC let the "cat out of the bag".
He adds that a "mere" announcement that e-tolls have been scrapped will not cut it.
“OUTA and motorists need to know that the government will be reversing the law that declared the Gauteng freeway network as tolled roads. There are many other decisions that will need to be taken and executed, e.g. the cancellation of contracts with ETC who collects e-tolls from motorists and amendments to the SANRAL act. Unpaid e-toll debt will also have to be written off without further threats to prosecute non-payers.”
"SANRAL will also have to withdraw all legal cases on e-tolls."
A decision on the fate of the e-tolls is expected to be made by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula soon.
