E-tolls sanral

Scenes from a go-slow as Gauteng drivers protest against e-tolls in 2013. (File)

E-tolls: Traffic fines, license renewal fees could increase to cover Sanral debts

With just 25% of Gauteng road users willing to pay for e-tolls, the ANC are ready to take drastic measures – that’s according to Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga.

E-tolls sanral

Scenes from a go-slow as Gauteng drivers protest against e-tolls in 2013. (File)

Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga promised he was going to dish the dirt on the ANC, Sanral and their plans for the future of e-tolls on Wednesday. A mere 24 hours later, and he really didn’t disappoint.

He initially began his media briefing by reiterating claims he made earlier in the week, regarding the contract Sanral have in place with the Electronic Toll Collection Agency (ETC).

E-tolls: How long does the contract last for?

Msimanga stated that the party and local authorities have deceived South Africans on the length of the agreement in place. Officially, the contract renewal was pencilled in for December 2018, only for it to be sheepishly revealed that the deal will continue running for another 12 months.

He was spitting feathers at this point, and even identified two prominent Gauteng ANC figures who he believes have lied about their stance on e-tolls. Deputy Chairperson Panyaza Lefusi was accused of telling porkies about wanting to scrap the fees altogether, following a public address he made last year.

Premier David Makhura was also called out for “deception”, with his political rival saying he has no intention of scrapping e-tolls despite his previous claims. However, Msimanga really dropped the hammer when he suggested that Sanral have a rather cunning plan to get motorists to cough-up more money.

Traffic fines, license renewals may increase to cover costs

Compliance is at an all-time low with the gantries, as only 25% of drivers pay their fees. This has played havoc with Sanral’s predicted earnings, plunging the agency into billions of rands worth of debt. But now, it looks like the government could hit citizens where it hurts

“We have been informed that the ANC Gauteng’s proposal to fund the e-tolls included increased license disk and card renewal fees, and increased traffic fines. As if the people of Gauteng are not already overburdened.”

“There is now the option to renew the e-toll contract until 2021 when it expires in December this year; we cannot be bamboozled by the ANC again. The e-toll saga has played out for far too long now.”

Solly Msimanga

How the ANC might make us pay e-toll fees

In an attempt to compensate for the earnings shortfall, the mayor – and future Gauteng Premier candidate – says that the ANC are ready to crank up the price of driving license renewals, and will charge more for traffic fines too. The surplus would go straight into Sanral’s coffers.

Msimanga concluded by saying the removal of e-tolls would be the first thing a DA-elected provincial government would do in Gauteng. You get the feeling that this is a stronger campaign strategy than what we saw on Wednesday.