Johannesburg - Gauteng's three metropolitan municipalities and the provincial government have spent R2.7 million on e-tolls since December, the Sunday Times reported.
In September, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) charged the four entities a total of R308 000, according to the report.
However, what Sanral received from government was small in comparison to the projected monthly revenue of R260m from all Gauteng road users.
Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, and the Gauteng government spent a combined R767 000 on e-tolls between December and March. In the four months since June their combined bill has grown to R1.3m.
The provincial government had 8202 vehicles fitted with e-tags in its fleet, including those used by the provincial executive.
The City of Johannesburg spent an average R56 000 a month on e-tolls, Tshwane R42 000, and Ekurhuleni R10 000, according to the report.
In July, Gauteng premier David Makhura established a panel to assess the socio-economic impact of e-tolls. Motorists and organisations have made submissions to the panel. Political parties, including the Democratic Alliance, the Economic Freedom Fighters and Inkatha Freedom Party have criticised the system.
Chairman of the African National Congress in Gauteng, Paul Mashatile, informed the panel urban tolling would “kill the economy” and that the system needed to be reviewed.
However, he encouraged users to continue paying their e-toll bills during the review process. The panel is due to present its findings to Makhura at the end of November. - Sapa