Formal decision on e-tolls not yet made

“The system is still in force as it was previously and while we share the MEC’s sentiments that the system should be scrapped, no formal announcement that they have been scrapped has been made,” notes the AA.

The Association says when the announcement is made, and if a decision to scrap e-tolls is taken, several key questions must be answered.

“Are people who have been paying for e-tolls going to be re-imbursed, and will outstanding debt owed to the system also be scrapped? And, critically, what is the future funding model going to look like? These are important issues that must be dealt with apart from simply saying the system has been scrapped,” says the AA.

The AA re-iterates its position that e-tolls cannot be maintained in their current format, that the system must be scrapped, that people who have being paying for e-tolls must be re-imbursed, that all debt must be written off, and that an alternative funding mechanism through the ring-fencing of funds from the General Fuel Levy (GFL) be adopted.

Mr Mamabola, speaking to host Mr Stephen Grootes on national radio station SAfm, said, “We (Provincial Transport Department) are already in our state of mind, and just in terms of our legitimate expectations, already living in the post-e-tolls period. We already believe any announcement is imminent.”

“…People of Gauteng should not be burdened with paying for national roads that serve all of us, that serve neighbouring states, that serve the whole economy of our country…They have to be scrapped.”

During a post-Cabinet media briefing, Acting Minister in the Presidency, Ms Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, told reporters that no formal decision on e-tolls has been made, and that Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is still presenting various options to Cabinet on the way forward for e-tolls.

“Cabinet is considering various possibilities relating to the system (either) being scrapped or maintained. What the MEC is communicating is not a national position,” Ms Ntshavheni said.

Mr Mbalula made yet another commitment to outline the future of e-tolls when he said an announcement “is imminent”. No indication has been given as to when such an announcement will be made.

“The MEC’s position has been known for some time but he does not make the final decision on the future of e-tolls, that decision must come from Cabinet and it’s unfortunate that it has been dragging on for some time now. We would again urge Cabinet, and the Minister of Transport, to expedite discussions on the matter with a view to making an announcement as soon as possible,” concludes the AA.