No issue has in recent times divided South Africans like the e-toll debate. On the one hand, you have the government and the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), and on the other you have the people whose cause in this matter is being championed by labour federation Cosatu.
The people have, through a march organised by Cosatu, expressed their dissatisfaction with the e-tolling system.
The government, on the other hand, has indicated that the debate around e-tolling is over and Gauteng motorists in particular need to register and get their e-tags.
Meanwhile, opponents are urging citizens to defy and not register.
If this impasse is not resolved, it could degenerate to mayhem and civil disorder.
We need to find a solution to the deadlock and all the parties involved would do well with some introspection.
Let us start with those who are in authority and their conduct in this matter.
Emperor Nintoku, thought to have ruled Japan during the late fourth and early fifth centuries, is said to have one day climbed up a high mountain and viewed the lands.
Seeing what was before him, he said: “There is no smoke rising (from fireplaces) in the land. The entire land is impoverished. For a period of three years the people are released from all taxes and conscription.”
As a result, the palace became dilapidated. Although the rain leaked in everywhere, no repairs were made. The dripping rain was caught in vessels, and the palace inhabitants moved around to places where it did not leak.
Later, when he viewed the land again, the entire land was filled with smoke. Realising the people were now rich, he reinstated taxes and conscription. For this reason, the common people flourished and did not suffer from his conscription.
In Christianity, Jesus is recorded as having once said to his disciples: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you…” (Matthew 20:25-27)
From the above, it is clear that consideration for the welfare of the people, especially the poor, is expected of our rulers.
Now, in fairness to the government, such consideration was given when Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan indicated in his Budget speech last month that the National Treasury would make a contribution of R5.8 billion to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), for which e-tolling was created, and as a result motorists would pay reduced tariffs.
The exemption of buses and taxis, which are mainly used by the poor, and the capping of the maximum amount at R550 a month is further demonstration of such consideration.
But I would say to the government, your subjects are still complaining, my lords.
They are crying: “Lighten further the heavy burden you intend to put on us.”
They deserve to be heard. The price of fuel has already gone up as a result of the monthly adjustment to bring the domestic price of petrol in line with prices of a basket of international fuel products.
Further hikes are projected because of the 28c/litre rise in fuel levies announced in the Budget last month.
The increase in Transnet’s pipeline tariff would also add to the fuel price. So when the people complain about e-tolling, it is because it is indeed going to hit the pockets hard, especially in light of the further rises in the price of fuel.
However, even those who are opposed to e-tolling must do some introspection.
When the government legislates the collection of taxes for our collective good, are we not supposed to render unto it the things that are due to the collective purse?
The kind of state we run has brought the government into education, health, crime, job creation, rural development and almost every facet of our lives, including freeways.
Are we saying there are certain areas that are off limits to the government?
This is where I part ways with those who are advocating for total defiance against the e-tolling system.
The reality is that Sanral has incurred a debt of R20bn. That debt must be paid. Any default on it will have serious implications for the agency’s ability to raise capital in international markets and the government, as the guarantor, will have to repay.
In one way or the other, the burden will come back to you and me as taxpayers.
The only problem is that when it is funded from the national fiscus, then the rest of the country’s citizens will be paying for a jolly good ride by Gauteng motorists.
The other reality is that Gauteng freeways, at least those that were part of phase one of the GFIP, have been expanded and the province’s motorists are enjoying the benefits. The expansion of the freeways was known.
It is a moot point whether that was sufficiently canvassed and/or publicised.
Given the above realities, and in line with the user-pay principle, there must be a preparedness by those who enjoy the expanded freeways to help Sanral repay the debt.
As to the modalities and the tariff structure, there is still room for the government and civil society to find one another.
The government should be prepared for further concessions and civil society must also be prepared to come to the party.
Entrenched positions, by both sides, will not help us.