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
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