Share

Motorists urged to continue paying e-tolls

Johannesburg - Motorists should continue paying their e-toll bills while the system is being reviewed, the ANC in Gauteng said on Tuesday.

"There's a law approved by government... so they should continue to pay as we try to find a solution," provincial chairperson Paul Mashatile told journalists at the provincial legislature.

He was speaking after the African National Congress had presented its submissions to the Gauteng Advisory Panel on e-tolls.

During his presentation, however, he was asked by the panel whether the ANC would be willing to compromise on their stance on e-tolls. Mashatile said they stood with what the people wanted.

"Suggesting to our people that they'd pay even if they don't like it... we won't support that," he said, explaining that the ANC represented scores of people who were against the tolling system.

"We represent people crying out loud for a burden to be removed from their shoulders," he said.

Urban tolling would "kill the economy" and the current system needed to be reviewed.

READ:Urban tolling a no-no, says Gauteng ANC

Mashatile said lessons were learnt from the largely rejected system as the public believed they were not properly consulted prior to the green light being given to the system.

"We should accept we needed a longer consultation process," he said.

The ANC said alternative methods to e-tolling should have been explored prior to the system being implemented.

"We aren't opposed to the user-pay principle but to the current model of the e-toll system," said Mashatile.

The ANC suggested a national nominal increase in the fuel levy or an increase in vehicle licence fees to cover the debt incurred through the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

READ: Sanral shows R2.8bn loss, banks on tolls

The money collected could be used to improve the roads in other provinces too.

Speaking on the sidelines of the proceedings, Mashatile said the ANC believed it was possible to sway the department of transport's stance on e-tolls.

Last month, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters was alleged to have distanced herself from the tolls review.

The Star newspaper reported that during a radio interview, Peters said there would be no review of the user-pay principle.

She claimed Gauteng premier David Makhura had told her the panel would do an economic analysis of the whole GFIP and not the tolls.

"But unfortunately for me, that panel seems to have taken a life of its own," Peters was quoted as saying.

READ: Peters should face e-toll reality - Outa

The Democratic Alliance followed the panel proceedings through social networking site, Twitter.

Turning to his Twitter account, DA MPL Jack Bloom wrote: "How can Gauteng ANC credibly argue against Etolls when they started it!"

Addressing the panel, Mashatile said the current model of the e-tolling system was a "complete departure" from what government agreed to with the SA National Road Agency Limited when the project was mooted in 1997.

He said the two sides could co-operate and review the process.

The panel, chaired by Professor Muxe Nkondo, was appointed by Makhura on July 17.

Its duty was to assess the social and economic impact of e-tolls.

It was intended to examine the economic and social impact of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project and the electronic tolling system set up to fund it.

The panel has held public hearings and accepted submissions from different political groups, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, the Democratic Alliance, and the Freedom Front Plus.

READ:
FF Plus warns government on e-tolls
SA shouldn't be boxed in by e-tolls - IFP
ANC is confused about e-tolls - DA
EFF questions need for e-tolls panel

The ANC was the last group to present its findings to the panel.

However, Makhura's spokesperson Thabo Masebe said the work of the panel was not yet concluded.

"They might decide to have round table meetings with the experts and then they will meet as a panel and go through the submissions and evidence they collected," said Masebe.

"They have to analyse everything they collected through public meetings and organised formations and the research they commissioned.

"Once they have done all that, they will start compiling their report and make their recommendation to the premier," said Masebe.

The panel would present its findings to Makhura by the end of November.

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
19.01
-0.4%
Rand - Pound
24.16
-0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.66
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.39
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.5%
Platinum
906.17
-1.9%
Palladium
1,006.16
0.0%
Gold
2,156.08
-0.2%
Silver
24.93
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
66,252
0.0%
All Share
72,431
0.0%
Resource 10
53,317
0.0%
Industrial 25
100,473
0.0%
Financial 15
16,622
0.0%
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