The transport authorities have threatened to use the fullest extent of the law on those who refuse to pay for e-tolls.
This warning was issued by Transport Minister Dipuo Peters yesterday in announcing that the controversial scheme was to go operational on December 3.
She said the government was confident that most motorists would co-operate.
“We cannot afford to expose Sanral’s (SA National Roads Agency) system to any further financial risks… and we have already experienced two delays,” said Peters.
“We are expecting the majority of South Africans to co-operate… This is part of Madiba’s plan, creating a better South Africa,” she said.
Peters made the announcement at Sanral’s offices in Val de Grace, Pretoria, yesterday.
She said motorists who did not register for e-tags would pay double the kilometre rate and would not get discounts.
“Those who don’t have tags, you know if you don’t pay, we will make sure the law is applied in its strictest form,” said Sanral chief executive Nazir Alli.
Civil rights organisation AfriForum said yesterday it would not register its vehicles for e-tolling.
DOOMED TO FAIL?
AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said that if enough motorists refuse to register for the tolls, the system would become impractical, forcing Sanral to reconsider. The system would simply not be cost-effective.
“If the public accepts e-tolling, an expensive system with high admin costs, without protest, the government will be able to launch similar projects without considering more cost-effective recoupment methods,” Kriel added.
Peters said “all great and world-class initiatives come at a cost”.
She said congestion on the Ben Schoeman highway before the improvement had cost R15 million an hour in fuel, accidents and delays. Urban tolling was the best system available.
DEBT COLLECTION SYSTEM
Alli said they would be following a debt-collection process with those who did not comply with e-tolls.
“There is a myth where people think that the court system will be overflooded. The court system will not be overflooded,” said Alli.
Sanral said 707 000 tags had already been sold.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi said they had looked at alternative routes near the toll roads and had started upgrading these. “These are good-quality roads, I can tell you,” he said.
He said the process had shown that public consultation was important, but that indefinite consultations could not be held.
The idea for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and the e-tolling project dates as far back as 1998, when the policy document on the toll strategy was produced.
However, it took nine years before Sanral published the notice of intent to toll on the GFIP. Then, in 2008, Sanral published its final notice of intent before awarding the GFIP contracts.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) has fought the system all the way, losing in the Pretoria High Court when Judge Louis Vorster ruled in favour of the project and ordered it to pay the government’s legal fees.
Outa took the case to the Supreme Court of Appeal, which ruled against Outa last month, but ordered that the alliance would not have to pay the legal fees. -The Star
OUTRAGE ON TWITTER:
- “If only the boeremags convicts were not jailed, we need them to bomb #etolls gantries #f**kourgovernment.” – Motshwane Mogorosi
- “@Zwelinzima1 # etolls, the defiance campaign should be intensified!!! ANC=NP, poor workers will die poor. DICTATORSHIP ZUMA @MyANC_ Tlou Mokoka: “Baby it’s not you… It’s #etolls… We can’t continue with this long distance relationship.” – AbortedNews @AbortedNews
- “There you have it. Caller from AUSTRIA on @Radio702 says there’s NO urban #eTolls in Austria. Don’t poo on their own doorstep, just ours!” – Justice Project SA
- “Pffft #etolls, like s**t will I buy your tag and pay to drive! #GoShoveYourTag” – Renier van Heerden.
- “So I hear that Austrian companies will be making a killing from the #etolls? Someone remind me, what’s the ANC’s mantra again?” – Koketso Dlongolo
- “@ewnreporter: #eTolls Peters: Yes, we expect the majority of South Africans to cooperate.” Really, expecting us to cooperate?” – Sam Mahlase
- “#eTolls actually MOST of them are Government AND Rental Vehicles who have been FORCED to participate. Avis, Budget.” – @Sandbrat
- “I wouldn’t want 2 pay #etolls. But the only place 2 win, it’s at the courts. If they allow the govt 2 implement it. Then we have to pay!!!” – Joseph G Balukuna
- “Cancelling online shopping orders, sorry Retail shops, blame it on #eTolls There goes your JSE listing. oops! #blamethegovernment #ANC” – Dagmar De Souza
- “700 000 etags have been bought thus far and Sanral is still sitting with about a million etags. #etolls” – Lelo Ndalo Motsoane
- “As if Christmas wasn’t expensive enough! Your @ancylhq has tightened the belt a bit more with #Etolls. No holiday for @southafricans!” – Nicole van Dyk
- “I will add an extra 10 minutes to my drive time to avoid the #Etolls” – Mallory Perrett
- “@mynameisjerm: Oh my god. RT @eNCAnews: UPDATE: Peters says #etolls are part of #Mandela’s legacy ‘for a better life for all’ CRAZY FOOLS” – Denise Liston
- “#etolls implementation is set for 3 December. Nice shock for commuters just ahead of Christmas. Great timing!” – Gerrie Butler
- “#etolls have the go ahead, i will not buy a tag and i will not use number plate either, f**k #ANC, im not ready for another national crisis.” – @itsMiggy
- ”How about regular increase in #Etolls fares for the already tagged motorist to cover for the lost turnover. Just like tv lic #No2etolls” – Peter Tshiololi
- “This #etolls malarchy is starting to make my blood boil.” – @skeelo3
- “@mthombothi: #Etolls a better life for all” Anything but to enrich the few, at the expense of the masses that struggle to make a living.” – Thabo Ndlela
- “Big ups to the anc for taking more money from us by agreeing to this #etolls” – @schuller777
- “@ShellsPemBroke ready to give it the bird everytime I drive under one of those things. #etolls”
– Nicholas Marini
- “Massive disappointment with govt decision!! Never! Never! And never again! #etolls Scumral” – @WhytheRed
- “A friend of mine that has secretly bought an e Toll tag is still my friend. #etolls” – Veli Ngubane