Cape Town - Government remains committed to e-tolling and will appeal
the High Court in Pretoria's interim order halting the implementation of the
system in Gauteng, spokesperson
Jimmy Manyi said on Thursday.
"Cabinet has taken a decision to appeal the interim
order to stop the e-tolling," Manyi told a fortnightly post-cabinet
briefing.
He said the government only received a written copy of Judge
Bill Prinsloo's April 28 judgment late on Wednesday.
"As we are sitting here, our lawyers are studying the
judgment and will advise the executive in due course."
He added: "Cabinet reiterated its commitment to the
user pays principle and its decision on e-tolling as an efficient mechanism of
collection."
Manyi said cabinet also made plain it would not allow the
embattled SA National Roads Agency Ltd to default on the debt it incurred to
complete the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
"As a country we need to demonstrate unequivocal
commitment to meet all our contractual obligations, including repaying the debt
incurred in the construction of GFIP. Defaulting on our debt is simply not an
option."