Nie Cele
In his recent State of the Province Address (SOPA) Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi made it public 31 March is the final day for the scrapping of the much maligned E-Tolls.
Fast-forward more crystal clarity was proclaimed in context by Gauteng Finance MEC, Jacob Mamabolo who reiterated what Lesufi promised.
In his recent Budget speech Mamabolo told the packed Legislature, 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.
“Following the 2022 MTBPS where the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana made a policy pronouncement “to resolve the funding impasse the Gauteng provincial government has agreed to contribute 30 per cent to settling SANRAL’s debt and interest obligations, while national government covers 70 per cent.”
Mamabolo also revealed, the province has accepted the 30 per cent debt contribution and provision for honouring this commitment.
“This 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.
“Honourable Members, 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.
“Whilst provision has been made to settle the E-Toll debt, Gauteng Provincial Government strongly believe that all other matters relating to road maintenance be concluded through a separate process,” MEC argued.
He also divulged government have held engagements with SANRAL and they confirmed the E-Tolls maintenance backlog of R4.1 billion, and the fact that funding will be required over a period of four years.
“This demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt the province’s commitment to comply with National Treasury’s requirements and bring us closer to exiting the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).
“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.
“With regards to the cancellation of the E-Tolls, fourteen days after the publishing of the deregulation gazette, Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for the use of the Gauteng freeways. Various processes will be in place leading up to the date, including turning the tag beeps off and stopping invoices to road users.”
Mamabolo also stressed the gantry lights and cameras will remain on as they will continue to be operated for other law enforcement purposes but will no longer be used for E-Toll collection.
“Road users can continue to use their eTags 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.”
