Lerato Mbhiza
Gauteng ActionSA Premier Candidate Funzi Ngobeni says the announcement of scrapping of the e-tolls, is long overdue and represents a massive victory for the residents of Gauteng.
“We are, however, aware that the only reason the Premier (Panyaza Lesufi) responded positively is because of the upcoming elections. It was not in good faith that this (e-tolls) came to an end.
“It is ridiculous that Lesufi wants to take credit for this as a victory when in fact it is a defeat for his party, the ANC, that set up the whole e-toll system without sufficient engagement with road users,” said Ngobeni.
Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo reaffirmed on Tuesday that the e-toll gantries on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will be switched off on 31 March.
Mamabolo also confirmed that the Gauteng Provincial Government has reached an agreement with the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) on the payment of R4.1 billion towards the e-toll maintenance backlog over four years.
“This demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt the province’s commitment to comply with National Treasury’s requirements and bring us closer to exiting the [GFIP],” he said at the tabling of the Gauteng provincial budget.
However, payment of the province’s 30% portion of Sanral’s debt and interest obligations – which amounts to R12.9 billion has been left for the new Gauteng administration to finalise after the general election on 29 May 2024.
But Mamabolo said Gauteng has approached financial institutions to raise the money required to honour its contractual obligations while noting that the target date for ending the tolling on the GFIP is 31 March 2024
He added that It is tragic that it took so long for the e-toll to be scrapped.
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