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DA: etolls advisory panel was “betrayal of the people of Gauteng”

Government’s recent announcement on the new etolls dispensation shows that the etolls advisory panel set up by the Gauteng premier in 2014 was a “betrayal of the people of Gauteng” Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane has said.

Although the new regulations for etolls haven’t been published yet, based on Ramaphosa’s presentation yesterday most – if not all – of the recommendations put forward by the advisory panel in January have been ignored. Recommendations from that panel which don’t seem to have been adopted include shutting down some gantries and adopting a hybrid funding model that involved reduced etoll costs in hand with other revenue generation mechanisms such as an increased fuel levy or tax on tyres. The panel also recommended that drivers of multiple occupancy vehicles should pay less, and be entitled to drive in special lanes to encourage car sharing and reduce congestion.

The newly elected leader posted a statement on the party’s website shortly after deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa announced, among other things, that motorists in the province will not be able to renew their licences unless their etoll bills have been paid.

This effectively means that those who haven’t signed up and gotten themselves an etag will now be forced to do so, or face either abandoning their cars or breaking the law by driving without a licence disc – which will automatically invalidate insurance as well.

“The people said scrap etolls, but the ANC has said etolls are here to stay,” Maimane said in reference to calls from the public to scrap the system. “This is despite clear evidence that the etolls system is collapsing.”

“Etoll payments have dropped from R120 million in June 2014, to R45 million in January 2015. This while SANRAL’s monthly cost recovery targets have risen from R108 million to R204 million over the same period,” Maimane went on TO SAY.

Yesterday, the Department of Transport revealed that Sanral’s revenue and etag registration numbers have dropped dramatically since etolls were first launched in December 2013.

“If the revenue shortfall cannot be closed by payments by users, the Gauteng Province and the National Government will be expected to fund the gap. This is money that could have been used for service delivery,” Maimane said.

Maimane also pointed out that the new development together with loadshedding that is currently plaguing South Africa is a “job-killing recipe for Gauteng”.

“South Africans must continue to stand up against this unjust system. But the biggest fight must now take place at the polls in 2016 when voters have the opportunity to demonstrate the consequences of the ANC’s announcement today,” he concluded.

Wayne Duvenage, chairperson for the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) expressed his reaction to the announcement on Twitter:

Other major opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters, are yet to release an official statement on the matter.

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