Share

DA: Toll contract must be cancelled

Johannesburg - The DA called for the cancellation of the e-tolls project in the Gauteng provincial legislature on Tuesday.

"Although there will be some penalties for cancellation, (Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan) has already decreased the debt by R5.75bn, to R14.75bn," said Democratic Alliance MPL Neil Campbell during a debate on the department of roads and transport budget.

He said there are three simple steps to solve the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project funding problem.

"Firstly, the national fuel levy must be ringfenced, which will ensure that a true 'user pays' principle applies."

A safe and reliable alternative for public transport must also be provided. And the fuel levy would need to be increased by not more than 11 cents per litre.

"It can be collected by the five oil refiners, which will decrease the cost of collection from the estimated R13bn to almost zero."

This would fulfil the government's requirement of the "user pays" principle, and would save billions of rands on an extremely expensive toll collection system, Campbell said.

"The dogged determination of cabinet to stick to an overpriced, unaffordable and hugely unpopular toll collection system reeks of arrogance of the grandest order."

On April 28, the high court in Pretoria handed down an order preventing the South African National Roads Agency Limited from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a judicial review.

Gordhan then approached the Constitutional Court in a bid to set aside the court order halting e-tolling.

 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.96
-0.1%
Rand - Pound
24.04
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.55
+0.2%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.34
+0.6%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.8%
Platinum
900.98
-0.2%
Palladium
1,000.76
-0.5%
Gold
2,155.89
-0.2%
Silver
24.95
-0.4%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,751
-0.8%
All Share
71,995
-0.6%
Resource 10
53,013
-0.6%
Industrial 25
99,381
-1.1%
Financial 15
16,605
-0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders