Motorists must pay for e-tolls - Makhura

Gauteng Premier David Makhura. File picture: Paballo Thekiso

Gauteng Premier David Makhura. File picture: Paballo Thekiso

Published Feb 7, 2015

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Johannesburg -

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has urged motorists to abide by government's decision and pay for etolling, the Saturday Citizen reported.

“We have to respect government's decision for it has the upper hand,” Makhura was quoted as saying at a meeting at the Gallagher Convention Centre on Friday.

“If I was to advise anyone in Gauteng, I would say: 'Please continue to pay'.”

Last year, Makhura established a review panel to assess the socio-economic impact of e-tolling following calls for it to be scrapped.

He announced the review during his state-of-the-province address in Thokoza, on the East Rand.

At the time he said: “While we shall not promise easy solutions and claim easy victories, we must make it clear that we cannot close our eyes to the cries of sectors of our population who are severely affected by the cost of travelling across the province.”

According to the Citizen, key players on Friday discussed recommendations from the review panel including a recommendation of a hybrid funding model.

The Democratic Alliance reportedly found the engagement ineffective, as representatives of National Treasury, the SA National Roads Agency Limited and the department of transport were absent.

“The absence of three major role players is a clear indication of government's intention to keep e-tolls in place,” DA provincial spokesman on roads Neil Campbell was quoted as saying.

E-tolling was implemented on Gauteng highways in December 2013, following several court challenges to halt the project.

Sapa

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