DA prevented from joining e-toll case

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Members of the DA protest outside the Pretoria High Court against paying the proposed e-toll fees. File Photo: Mujahid Safodien

Johannesburg -

The DA has been prevented from joining the Constitutional Court case on the Gauteng e-tolling project, the party said on Monday.

“We were not admitted as friend of the court, and we not really given any reasons,” DA MPL Jack Bloom said.

“The full reason as to why we were not allowed to join the case would be given in the court's final judgment.”

He said Treasury and SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) had objected to the DA's inclusion because it was a political party.

“They argued that a friend of the court does not side with one side over another.”

On Wednesday, the court would hear arguments by Sanral and Treasury on why it should overturn an interim interdict granted by the High Court in Pretoria on April 28. The interdict halted the e-tolling project until a full review was carried out.

Bloom said the DA would stand by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), who had sought the interdict.

“We support Outa in this case. We will by there on Wednesday to give them moral support.”

He said the case was important as it could have “far-reaching consequences” on the court's independence and its ability to interdict government.

Last week Bloom said: “If government wins, then expect to see more decisions like the e-tolls pushed through without proper consultation.

“It is essential that the court's substantive power of review is preserved... so that government can be challenged if it departs from rationality and due process in its decision-making.” - Sapa