Lesufi’s feet dragging in abolishing e-toll system once and for all, as promised, is unacceptable

9 June 2023

The Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, dragging his feet in abolishing the e-toll system once and for all, like he promised, is unacceptable.

Last year, Lesufi undertook to ensure that this system will be a thing of the past by the end of 2022.

The FF Plus has, however, noted with concern that the Gauteng e-toll system is still operational and bills are still sent out to road users.

Last year, the party warned that the e-toll system will keep functioning until the Minister of Transport issues a formal notice in terms of the SANRAL Act (South African National Roads Agency and National Roads Act 7 of 1998) to officially abolish e-toll.

That has not yet happened.

So, Lesufi misled Gauteng road users by creating the impression with his announcement last year that the end of the e-toll system is a fact.

The deathly silence on the whole e-toll matter is a serious cause for concern as many businesses have no choice but to keep paying for using the tolled highways.

These needless expenses play a significant role in further impoverishing businesses, particularly the small to medium enterprises that are already under immense economic pressure.

There is, furthermore, no clarity on whether those who paid e-toll bills in the past will be reimbursed.

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding whether it is legally and financially possible.

In addition, there is uncertainty about how the Gauteng government plans to finance 30% of the e-toll debt burden, which it has taken on itself, and how it will afford to maintain the SANRAL roads in Gauteng.

It is becoming more and more evident that the ANC in Gauteng is busy with empty rhetoric about the e-toll system to gain support for the 2024 elections.

The complexity of the matter has clearly caught Lesufi, who likes populist statements and simple solutions, off guard.

The FF Plus remains opposed to the e-toll system, and will keep putting pressure on Lesufi in the Gauteng Legislature to once and for all abolish the e-toll system.

If the FF Plus comes into power in Gauteng after the 2024 elections, as part of a multiparty coalition government, the party will also put pressure on national government to abolish e-toll, and to pay all the debt related to the unlawful system.

Unlike Lesufi and the ANC, the FF Plus will be sure to liberate Gauteng from this yoke.

Issued by Anton Alberts, 9 June 2023