Outa: Provinces must have say on e-tolls

Johannesburg - Provincial legislatures must insist on debating e-tolling legislation as the SA National Roads Agency Limited implements future e-tolling projects, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said on Wednesday.

"There can be no argument against the fact that an e-toll system introduced within the confines of any urban area will have a considerable impact on road congestion, maintenance, and other pertinent matters at a provincial level," said spokesperson John Clarke.

"To exclude the provinces in bills of this nature is simply outrageous."

President Jacob Zuma signed the amendment bill into law in September, in effect opening the way for e-tolling in Gauteng.

The bill amended the SA National Roads Agency Limited and National Roads Act to allow the collection of electronically recorded tolls and implementation of the electronic toll collection system.

Clarke said to bypass provincial legislatures was to show contempt for the public interest and the constitutional rights of South African citizens.

The Democratic Alliance has applied to the Western Cape High Court to declare the legislation governing e-tolling unconstitutional.