3 December D-day for e-tolls
E-toll controversy continues as minister announces implementation date.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announced on 20 November that official e-tolling will commence on 3 December – just in time for the holiday season.
The spokesperson for Transport, Tiyanhi Rikhotso, also released the rather flat sales figures thus far. Although the South African Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) received 2 107 000 e-tags over the past three years it has sold only 679 100 of these tags that is necessary to pass through the 42 erected gantries.
Rikhotso warns people “to ignore those saying it’s not a legal obligation to get e-tagged”.
Meanwhile Cosatu once again called on the public to boycott the system and the Freedom Front Plus and DA are planning to legally challenge the bill on constitutional grounds.
Mmusi Maimane, the DA’s Gauteng Premier candidate expressed his dismay and unveiled his plan to stop the e-tolls.
“The Democratic Alliance notes the announcement by Transport Minister Dupio Peters regarding the start date for e-tolling in Gauteng.
“It is a sad day for this province and for South Africa that the widespread public opposition to this system blatantly has been ignored by government,” says Maimane.
“And this is just the beginning,” he warns.
“The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) ultimately will cover around 560km of the freeway network in Gauteng. Considering that the first phase of this system covers only around 185km, the network is set to more than double.
“Future routes are expected to be along the N14 Krugersdorp Highway, sections of the M1, the N14 to Pretoria, N3 to Heidelberg, the R59 and sections of the N12,” reveals Maimane.
“Whether directly or indirectly, the majority of Gauteng residents will eventually pay the cost of e-tolling. Residents who are not regular road users will feel the pinch through increased food and living expenses.
“I know that many people are very angry about this announcement. I encourage you to take this frustration to the ballot box next year and vote out the government that has enforced this system on an unwilling province,” says Maimane.
Maimane says that if elected he will hold a referendum so the people can choose whether they want the system or not.
