Johannesburg - The Gauteng provincial transport portfolio committee said on Friday that the panel of 15 people chosen by Gauteng premier David Makhura to assess the socio-economic impact of e-tolls in the province was a reputable team.
The committee's chairperson Jacob Khawe said the panel was a team of professionals with extensive knowledge and experience on transport economics.
It also possessed the legal expertise to look at the socio-economic impact of the e-tolls system and its impact on the residents of Gauteng, he said.
Assessing impact
Makhura said on Thursday that the government was serious about assessing the impact of e-tolls on Gauteng residents and the economy.
"If we were not serious we wouldn't announce that this matter required our attention... we wouldn't come this far," Makhura told reporters in Johannesburg.
He announced the names of 10 of the 15 members of the panel, which would meet for the first time next Thursday.
The panel members are: chairperson Muxe Nkondo, Patricia Hanekom, John Ngcebetsha, Vuyo Mahlathi, Luci Abrahams, Fiona Tregenna, Anna Mokgokong, John Sampson, Lauretta Teffo and Chris Malikane.
Five more members were expected to be announced later, Makhura said.
The panel was tasked with inviting proposals and submissions from Gauteng residents on proposed solutions to e-tolling. It would submit its findings and recommendations to the provincial government.
Court challenges
On September 25, President Jacob Zuma signed into law the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, giving the go-ahead for e-tolling in Gauteng.
The e-toll system started operating across Gauteng on December 3, following several court challenges and widespread public opposition.
Khawe reiterated Makhura's call for Gauteng motorists to continue paying their e-toll bills while government worked at finding a lasting solution.