President Zuma is misleading the nation on e-tolls 

President Jacob Zuma's attempt to justify e-tolling in Gauteng is misleading this province and our nation. 

The claim by the President that 60% of Gauteng's population will be exempt from paying for the system is false. In fact, through subsequent increases in food and the cost of living, everyone will feel the impact of tolling, whether directly or indirectly. 

Furthermore, taxi owners have told me directly that despite the exemption they are still concerned that e-tolling will affect their business. Tolling will kill jobs, and if people don't have jobs they will not need to make use of taxi's to travel. 

The President also failed to highlight the fact that the current e-toll routes are just phase one of several more routes to be tolled. 

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will ultimately cover around 560 km of the freeway network in Gauteng. Considering that the first phase of this system only covers around 185km, the network is set to more than double. 

Future routes are expected to be along the N14 Krugersdorp Highway, sections of the M1, the N14 to Pretoria, N3 to Heidelberg, the R59 and sections of the N12. 

The fact remains that this system was unjustly forced on the people of this province despite several other more viable options to pay for our road network. 

The public will not be fooled by this poor attempt to justify e-tolls. They have spoken out very clearly against this system and the subsequent billing problems that we are all now faced with. 

The best way to voice opposition to this system is to vote against e-tolling at the ballot box this year. I will continue to fight this injustice at every turn, both now and if elected Premier of Gauteng. 

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA Gauteng Premier Candidate, January 17 2014

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