DA sees no end in sight for e-Tolls in Gauteng. Photo: Sanral.
DA: “No end in sight for e-Tolls in Gauteng”
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes the Gauteng Provincial Government has no plan to end e-Tolls, Here’s WHY:
DA sees no end in sight for e-Tolls in Gauteng. Photo: Sanral.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes the Gauteng Provincial Government has no plan to end e-Tolls.
E-TOLLS CONTRACT NOT FINALISED AS YET
Fred Nel MPL – DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport revealed that the e-Toll contract has been renewed until the middle of June. And there is a possibility that this contract will be extended once again, even though Premier Panyaza Lesufi has assured residents that e-Tolls are a thing of the past.
On 31 December 2022, Lesufi announced the deactivation of the e-tolls billing system. However, due to the need to finalise key components of the MOU between the National Government and the Provincial Government, the matter was to be finalised in the new year (2023).
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THE OPINION BY THE DA ON THIS MATTER
“The extension of this contract means that the current debt owed for the e-Toll gantries will increase and residents will continue to be billed for this unwanted system.
It is worrying that there has been no further communication regarding the Gauteng Provincial Government’s (GPG) portion of the debt that needs to be paid,” the DA’s Nel raised.
ALSO READ: By 31 December the fate of e-tolls will be determined – Lesufi
“GPG has not yet finalised the financial model for the replacement of e-Tolls. This means that the province has committed to debt for which it has no idea how to service,” Nel added, further stating that inevitably funds will be taken away from other departments and service delivery in the province will continue to suffer.
ACTION PLAN FOR GAUTENG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
Nel further said the Democratic Alliance (DA) will be tabling questions to the MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale, to determine what plans have been put in place since the announcement that e-Tolls have been scrapped.
Nel
“The DA will continue to fight any proposal for an additional tax on our residents.”
