Big changes are coming for e-tolls in Gauteng – with final decision imminent

THE South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) says that the long-delayed decision from the government on the future of e-tolls has remained a permanent pain point in its performance, noting that it has become dependent on government grants to fulfil its mandate.

Presenting its 2021/22 annual report, Sanral noted that the failed e-toll system has become a burden on its entire portfolio, despite only making up a tiny fraction of the roads under its purview.

Toll levies and borrowings on commercial capital markets have been the main sources of finance for the development, upgrading, repair, maintenance and operation of national toll roads managed directly by Sanral. These constitute some 7% of the national road network.

However, due to the under-collection of e-tolls on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), government assistance has become a significant supplementary source of funding for the toll portfolio over the past three financial years, it