Mamabolo tables Gauteng mini budget as province seeks R12bn to settle e-tolls debt

Mamabolo delivered the 2022 Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and the Adjustments Budget in the Gauteng legislature on Thursday.

The annual budget of the provincial government increased from R152.9 billion presented in March this year to R155.3 billion.

Mamabolo is tasked with the responsibility of raising 30% of the R43 billion needed to settle the e-tolls debt while National Treasury will cover the remaining 70%.

He said the province aims to collect R7.2 billion from existing revenue sources.

"Part of the efforts towards increasing own revenue collection will focus on efficiencies through the elimination of loopholes in the collection mechanisms, as well as exploring new revenue sources for the Gauteng provincial government. 

"These include amongst others, new casino regulations, automation of casino Llcense operations, new bookmakers and bingo Licenses, online renewal of motor vehicle licenses, vehicle impound facilities and leasing of vacant land parcels."

Mamabolo said the new funding model for the province’s highways will be discussed with Gauteng residents.

"It is in this context that we would like to assure residents of Gauteng that we will not compromise our priorities in social services such as health and education. I am also pleased to announce that in the current financial year there will be no specific allocation that is required for the repayment of e-tolls."

The MEC says they will announce a date to switch off the gantries and the their repurposing to assist in the fight against crime.

Earlier this week the Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said R12.9 billion will be needed for the decommissioning of the e-toll system.

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