Even government doesn’t pay E-tolls

15 July 2015

It is pure hypocrisy that government calls on citizens and businesses to buy e-tags and pay E-tolls, when governments themselves refuse to pay E-tolls.

This was confirmed in a reply to a DA Parliamentary question, which revealed that the three worst offending local governments in Gauteng are:

The Government is being blatantly unfair by expecting citizens to do something they aren't prepared to.

The DA has long held that e-tolls are double taxation and that the E-toll scheme is a job killing scheme. 

The people of Gauteng have also spoken loud and clear in their rejection of E-tolls, and their voices have been largely ignored. Now even ANC-governed municipalities have rejected E-tolls and refuse to pay them. 

Not only are some municipalities not paying their e-toll bills but some have not even signed up for e-tags. Emfuleni local municipality has not registered a single one of its vehicles for e-tags.

It is time that the ANC heeds these calls, recognises the unsuitability of E-tolls, and scraps the job killing scheme for good.

Text of the reply:

National Assembly 

Question Number: 2361

Mr S C Motau (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:

(1) Whether any Gauteng municipalities owe money to the SA National Roads Agency Limited for e-tolls; if so, (a) which municipalities and (b) what amount do they owe;

(2) how many municipality vehicles are registered with an e-tag in respect of each municipality in Gauteng? NW2723E

Reply:

There are municipalities with outstanding invoices.  However, since it is an outstanding invoice, it may still be in process to be paid by the particular municipality and payment thereof is awaited. 

As the honourable member is aware the new etoll dispensation makes provision for all debtors to qualify for a 60% discount.  Thus all the above amounts will be reduced by 60%.

ENDS

Statement issued by Manny de Freitas MP, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, July 15 2015