Motorists not off the hook as Gauteng pays E-Toll debt

By Thapelo Molefe

While the Gauteng government has made its first instalment to settle the E-Toll debt, motorists who still owe money for the tolls are expected to pay up, according to Gauteng finance and economic development MEC Lebogang Maile.

And motorists who have paid will not be reimbursed.

“When people were paying for e-tolls, it was not illegal. They were paying because they were utilising the service. People will not be paid back because it was not illegal. Their money was not collected illegally by the government,” Maile told reporters.

The controversial E-Tolling system was scrapped in April after widespread backlash. Only 10% of motorists reportedly paid their bills.

Maile announced on Monday that the Gauteng government had paid the first instalment of R3.8 billion towards settling the historical debt of R12.9 billion.

This payment marks the beginning of a five-year plan, where the province will pay the debt