Decision on e-tolls to be announced next year

This follows the submission of recommendations made by the advisory panel established by Gauteng Premier David Makhura to review the economic, social and environmental impacts of the contentious system.

According to Makura, who received the panel’s report on 30 November, it would be tabled to the Executive Council to consider the findings and recommendations, and decide on appropriate actions.

“We have to allow the Executive Council to consider it and engage with the other spheres of government on the way forward,” Makhura said.

He would not divulge what recommendations the e-toll review panel had made but speculation was rife.

According to a report by Times Live, the advisory panel recommended that e-tolls should be scrapped.

The Times reported that according to provincial ANC insiders, the report rejected e-tolling and recommended that the system should be discontinued.

E-tolling was implemented on 3 December 2013 despite fierce opposition and has since sparked a public outcry with many motorists refusing to pay their bills.

“I wish to reiterate that the Gauteng government will seriously consider the advisory panel’s findings and recommendations,” said Makhura.

According to Makhura, the provincial government will immediately start studying the findings and recommendations, and would thereafter engage the national and local governments.

The process would be concluded and a determination made early in next year, he said.

The panel’s report will also be released to the public at a later stage.