Mthembu: Cabinet confident of e-toll solution
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu says consultations will be held over the next few week to decide on the future of the unpopular e-tolls system.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and Gauteng Premier David Makhura to put their heads together and find a solution to the user-pay system.
ALSO READ: Mbalula yet to consult stakeholders on scrapping e-tolls
Mboweni and Makhura were recently involved in a public spat on social media, which saw Mboweni threaten Gauteng motorists who refuse to pay e-tolls.
During his recent State of the Province Address, Makhura said his government remains “determined to ensure that e-tolls are not part of the future of our province”.
I have referred the e-tolls matter to President@CyrilRamaphosa for final resolution; My engagements him and Minister @MbalulaFikile have been positive. Minister @tito_mboweni can continue to tweet as he cooks; he is a Minister, not the President. #NoTurningBack
— David Makhura (@David_Makhura) July 5, 2019
I am certain that the Premier of Gauteng knows that you have to be careful before you pick up a fight with a National Minister of Finance. The one who controls allocations! I would be careful if I were him. USER /CONSUMER PAYS!
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) July 5, 2019I don’t know why the middle and upper classes in Gauteng want to complicate our lives. The working class do not pay e-tolls!! Public transport! Hello..
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) July 5, 2019Many years ago I was taught that YOU NEED TO KNOW AND STAY ON YOUR LANE!
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) July 5, 2019Mthembu says cabinet expects a proposal from Mbalula, Mboweni and Makhura by August.
He says cabinet is confident the three will come up with viable solutions.
"A united response across government is required on issues such as e-tolling to ensure that South Africans gave confidence in the work of government,” he told a post-cabinet briefing in Cape Town on Thursday.
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