Lerato Mbhiza
Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo said the Provincial Government is still on track with its promise to delink and deactivate eToll gantries by 31 March 2024, a deadline set by Premier Panyaza Lesufi, during this year’s State of the Province Address.
Delivering the provincial budget in the legislature on Tuesday morning, Mamabolo said the province has approached financial institutions to raise money required to pay off the debt owed to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).
Mamabolo said the province cannot afford to settle upfront the R12,9 billion eToll debt due to ‘revenue constraints’ and ‘budget cuts’.
He said the Gauteng Government will instead borrow the R12,9b and repay it back within the next 3-years adding that the provincial government also has another R4,1 billion eToll debt which relates to a backlog of road maintenance.
However, Mamabolo said SANRAL doesn’t require this money upfront so Gauteng will repay it gradually over the next 4 years.
Other matters relating to road maintenance can be concluded through a separate process, he said.
“The province has accepted the 30% debt contribution and provision for honouring this commitment is part of the fiscal framework that we are presenting today. This is part of the province’s arrangements to service the debt.
“The province has approached financial institutions to raise money required to honour its contractual obligations noting that the target date for ending the tolling of GFIP 1 is 31 March 2024.
“Let me reaffirm Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s commitments in the State of the Province that by the 31st of March 2024 we should have resolved the issue of E-Tolls once and for all.
“As part of the winding down process, statutory authorities at national level – National Treasury, National Department of Transport and SANRAL – will carry out all the necessary steps to cease the collection of e-tolls and gazette accordingly,” he said.
Mamabolo said fourteen days after the publishing of the deregulation gazette, Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for the use of the Gauteng freeways.
Gantry lights and cameras will remain switched on for other law enforcement purposes.
“Road users can continue to use their e-tags at all other toll plazas in the country, as long as their accounts are active. Further details on this process will be communicated to all road users in due course,” said Mamabolo.
INSIDE POLITICS
