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Outa points out that it is ultimately the Gauteng provincial economy that will determine the viability of e-tolls. “If the economics of e-tolling are not right, the mustering of all the executive powers will be a futile exercise.
"The ruling party in cabinet and the National Assembly would have more chance of successfully repealing the law of gravity than to force e-tolling to work, because the economics of it simply makes no sense and the majority of the people are having nothing to do with it,” said Outa joint spokesperson John Clarke.
Outa expressed concern on Monday over Transport Minister Dipuo Peters' comments that the e-toll system won't be scrapped. This essentially means that following Gauteng premier David Makhura’s reference to his panel initiative as having received ‘the support of the ANC and the government’ at a media briefing in July, his efforts must now be considered as a waste of time.
“Why on earth would the ANC give their blessing to the Gauteng premier’s initiative, if indeed the minister appears to be intent on rejecting the pertinent and valuable information expected to come from this exercise, before it has been examined?” asked Outa chairperson Wayne Duvenage.
Statements like this are indicative of a government that is out of touch with its people and the reality of the situation at hand. “Quite frankly, the decision related to the continuation and success of e-tolls is one that has more to do with what the people say about this unjust policy, and less about what the authorities think that matters.
"It is doomed to fail,” said Duvenage. “Just because the gantry lights are on, doesn’t mean the system is working. It needs to be effective in raising the necessary funds to be successful, and that horse has long bolted."
- Fin24
