Democratic Alliance Caucus leader of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature John Moodey says the promise made by Gauteng Premier David Makhura, to review the impact of e-tolls in the province, should not be another talk shop.
“The people of Gauteng have demonstrated their wholesale opposition to these tolls by planned boycotts and a refusal to pay. Even the Catholic Church has come out in support of this civil action and as a member of the Church, I will heed such call,” said Moodey.
He says if Makhura is serious about resolving the problem of e-tolls, there is really only one solution and that is to re-introduce the concept of a ring fenced national fuel levy, which funds all other major road improvements across the country.
“Those who state that they are against a national fuel levy must bear in mind that Gauteng taxes support every other province in the country. They must realise that an effective national road network is imperative to support and grow our economy which is almost stagnant presently.”
He argues that people should understand that the paltry budget given to Sanral leaves it with little choice to fund road upgrades, other than tolls.
Moodey says the ring-fenced fuel levy is the most cost effective way of solving an ongoing problem and the premier’s panel must be inclusive, open to reason and, most importantly, it must bear fruit.
Its mandate should include means of addressing the unnecessary and questionable collection costs.
He says the proposed e-toll review must not become Makhura’s first empty promise, a legacy left by his predecessor, Nomvula Mokonyane.
