Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma on Friday quashed any
hopes that the planned Gauteng e-tolling system will dropped by government.
"The Gauteng economy cannot afford any impediment to
the traffic flow, since such an impediment will stifle economic growth that
leads to job creation," Zuma told The New Age and SABC business briefing
in Port Elizabeth.
Because of increased traffic flow the roads in general were
unable to cope and this had affected road users and economic development.
He said the tolling of Gauteng's roads was an issue that had
been consulted on and accepted by cabinet.
"The rationale behind the freeways improvement project
is that Gauteng, which generates nearly 38% of the total value of South
Africa's economic activities, has developed beyond its infrastructural
capabilities.
"The open tolling system will assist government to
obtain revenue that will be utilised in order to improve the road
infrastructure, service debt already incurred for the upgraded freeway network
in Gauteng and ensure a well-maintained and upgraded road network into the
future."
He said it was understood that for people affected by
serious poverty and unemployment it was an additional financial burden; however, the infrastructure development would also create jobs which would help
to eradicate the burden.
"But we plead for your understanding because at the end
of the day, we have to develop and strengthen the road infrastructure of
Gauteng," said Zuma.