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DA: E-toll tariffs unaffordable

Cape Town - DA spokesperson Mmusi Maimane said on Wednesday that he will not purchase an e-tag.

"The law does not force me to have an e-tag and so in protest I will not be purchasing one."

He made the remark in a statement following the publication of  e-toll tariffs in the Government Gazette for public comment. 

The transport department said the public has 30 days to comment.

"We encourage the public to participate in this process to ensure that their views are taken on board," spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said in a statement.

"The minister of transport will consider the input before making a final determination on the tariffs that motorists will pay on the tolled road network."

Maimane said the tariffs are a clear indication that tolling is not affordable for the people of Gauteng.

"It is unthinkable that road users with an e-tag will be charged up to R4.20 per gantry, and R8.12 without an e-tag."

He added that small business owners in Orange Farm, who he visited, will be hard hit.

"They will now travel through six gantries on a return trip to Johannesburg to collect stock, significantly decreasing the profit they make every month."

Maimane said this will kill their business and jobs.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters told the SABC last week that she believed the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) would be able to implement the tolls within one or two weeks after the 30-day period for public comment ended.

The Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Act was published late September in the Government Gazette.
President Jacob Zuma signed the controversial bill into law on September 21.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein dismissed the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance's (Outa) challenge to e-tolling of Gauteng's freeways.

The court decision was welcomed by Sanral and the department of transport, but the DA, Cosatu and Outa said they will continue protesting the toll system.

 - Fin24
 
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