Mbalula: We will listen to civil society on e-tolls
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula believes his meeting with the Automobile Association (AA) and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) is proof of government’s resolve to solve the e-tolls impasse.
Mbalula met with the two organisations on Wednesday as part of efforts to find a solution to the unpopular user-pay system.
A task team, established by President Cyril Ramaphosa, has been tasked to deal with the issue.
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The president has given the Department of Transport, roads agency Sanral, the Gauteng provincial government and Treasury until the end of August to come up with a solution.
Mbalula says the engagement with the stakeholders is proof of the government's commitment to finding an amicable solution.
"We listened to both stakeholders and committed to give them feedback from our engagement processes and we will no doubt engage with the information they placed at our disposal.
"Delivering this year’s State of the National Address President Cyril Ramaphosa said: 'Civil society needs to continue to play its role in holding government to account but must also join us in practical actions to attain our common goals'.
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"These engagements are a firm expression of our commitment of our resolve to finding common ground in addressing the challenge of funding road infrastructure while we advance measures to grow our economy."
Contribution to the process by civil society groups such as AA and OUTA is highly appreciated and is an indication that matters of common interest occupy the national discourse – and so it should ! #FixingTransport pic.twitter.com/7IUtCdq5yE
— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix 100days (@MbalulaFikile) August 28, 2019