Johannesburg - Gauteng premier David Makhura has made the clearest indication yet that Gauteng’s hated e-toll system is here to stay - irrespective of widespread public opposition.
Makhura set up a panel in July last year that for eight months deliberated the socio-economic impact of e-tolls on residents, creating an expectation that Gauteng’s e-tolls could be scrapped.
Makhura’s advisory panel did not reject the e-toll system outright, however. Instead, it recommended the implementation of a hybrid option involving a combination of e-tolls and other funding sources.
It said in its recommendations: “The e-tolls component of a hybrid funding option should be structured in a way that is more equitable to low and middle-income users, more simple and efficient, and at lower rates.”
'LEGITIMATE POLICY ISSUE'
The DA wants Makhura to set up a referendum on e-tolls. Gauteng DA caucus leader John Moodey said the provincial government would be able to gauge the attitude of residents towards e-tolls and its impact on their lives through a referendum.
Gauteng political parties, including the ANC, wanted e-tolls scrapped. The ANC and DA in Gauteng preferred the option of an increase in the fuel levy and motor vehicle registration fees.
Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance spokesman John Clarke said that as the country was edging towards the local government elections in 2016, e-tolls were “an entirely legitimate policy issue for voters to decide in that area”.
“Outa has written to deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, urging him to appoint a team of specialist auditors to thoroughly investigate the South African National Roads Agency’s performance in terms of section 195 of the constitution,” Clarke said.
The section deals with principles and values governing state-owned institutions.
AVOIDING THE QUESTION
ANC legislature representatives, who attended the Gauteng ANC lekgotla last month during which e-tolls were again rejected, on Tuesday applauded Makhura’s decision to retain e-tolls.
Makhura said the panel had done a sterling job.
“I stand by the panel,” he said. “Various organised formations and members of the public made written and oral submissions on how they are impacted by the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Plan and the e-tolls. They also proposed wide-ranging solutions to the problem identified,” Makhura said.
He said the panel’s findings made it clear that e-tolls needed to be reviewed to address the issues of equity, affordability and administrative simplicity.
“Clearly, the panel’s recommendations respond directly to the concerns around affordability, equity, fairness, administrative simplicity and sustainability of the e-tolls as raised by the people,” he said.
Makhura neatly avoided the EFF’s Ntobeng Ntobeng’s question when he asked, “Honourable premier, are you going to scrap e-tolls?”
In reply, Makhura said his government, working together with Ramaphosa, was doing everything in its power to implement the panel’s recommendation, promising that a final decision would be made in due course.
'LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE'
Makhura also slammed the DA’s latest call for a referendum.
“There is no need for a referendum,” he said. “A referendum is not used to resolve every or any matter of public concern or disagreements.”
However Moodey insisted a referendum was necessary.
“Gauteng has long since reached a stalemate on e-tolls and their implementation, which is clearly illustrated by motorists’ continued refusal to pay. And now the ANC and Premier Makhura are insisting on implementing the panel’s recommendations in a desperate attempt to find a way to force people to pay through one stealth tax or another.
“Give the power to the people, call a referendum on e-tolls and let them decide,” Moodey said.
The Star