Outa reveals taxpayers were overcharged for GFIP
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse claims taxpayers have been grossly overcharged by R11 billion for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
This is according to Outa's research paper, released to the public on Monday, which shows the GFIP project should have only cost R7 billion instead of R17,9 billion.
Outa, previously known as the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance, bases this claim on an international benchmark study, comparing the costs of 11 international road improvement projects. These show taxpayers overpaid for GFIP by 321%.
The GFIP upgrades cost roughly R96.7 million / kilometre. According to Outa's research, the project should not have cost more than R38.3 million/kilometre.
Outa has now renewed its call on motorists not to register for e-tolls.
The organisation's Wayne Duvenage said if GFIP cost under R10 billion, there would have never been a need for e-tolls.
"The costs here are exorbitant. The discrepancy between what we are paying for roads here - and certainly what we paid on the GFIP - and what is actually happening out in the rest of the world needs some serious, serious investigation," Duvenage said.
Edited by Suné du Toit