Gauteng toll fees are set to become a fact of life, and the law and the government will tolerate no disobedience, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi has said.
Although Manyi did not mention names, his comments were in response to Cosatu’s threat to embark on a strike in protest against e-tolls.
The fees were given the nod on Monday by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his Budget speech.
“This is not just a bad dream; it’s a reality, it’s going to happen.
“No one should have any illusion whatsoever that this thing is going to go away.
“It’s a fact of life and it’s going to happen,” Manyi said.
“So, law-abiding citizens, buy your e-tags. E-toll is coming. Don’t harbour any thought that this… might go back.”
Manyi was briefing reporters at Parliament in Cape Town following the cabinet’s fortnightly meeting the day before.
He had a warning for those considering breaking toll laws.
“If you’re not going to obey the law, the law will take its course. Period. I want this to be abundantly clear.”
The fiscus could no longer continue to “carry the burden” of freeway maintenance.
“The user-payer principle has been affirmed. Let it be very clear that we are marching ahead,” Manyi said. The cabinet is firm. There will be e-tolls.
“There will be a law passed to make sure there is a remedy to deal with transgressors.”
Manyi also warned that toll road users who don’t buy e-tags or pay toll fees could find themselves pursued through the courts for the money they owe.
Draft legislation that will provide for civil – rather than criminal action – against toll rebels is expected to come before the cabinet when it next meets on March 7.
If the cabinet approves the bill, Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele will bring it to Parliament to be processed as speedily as possible.
The cabinet approved the tolling – at a reduced rate, after a R5.8 billion cash injection from the Treasury – at its regular fortnightly meeting on Wednesday.
Transport director-general George Mahlalela said the new, cheaper tariffs would be gazetted as soon as possible.
He told Independent Newspapers that the draft bill was “ready to go before the cabinet” at its next meeting, and could not be made public before that.
A Department of Transport official said the bill proposed allowing for garnishee orders or the attachment of defaulters’ property if they failed to pay what they owed in outstanding toll fees. A civil process would be quicker and more effective than going through the criminal courts, he said.
Earlier, Manyi provided further details of the new toll fees and the cabinet’s approval of a reduction in tariffs for vehicles with e-tags.
With effect from April 30, motorcycles with e-tags would pay 20c/km and those without, 38c/km.
Light motor vehicles with e-tags would pay 30c/km and without 58c/km. Non-articulated trucks with e-tags would pay 75c/km and those without R1.45/km.
Articulated trucks with e-tags would pay R1.51/km and those without R2.90/km.
Manyi said these reductions were made possible by the once-off contribution of R5.8 billion via the fiscus to the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).
The new fee system also ensured that the cost for motorcycles and light vehicles would be capped at R550 a month.
“Time of the day” savings of 20 percent for heavy vehicles would help deal with the freight industry’s concerns, Manyi said.
“This allows for lower toll fees for off-peak times.
“It will also reduce congestion during peak hours and reduce the economic impact of the toll fees for consumers.”
Commuter public transport – taxis and buses – remained exempt from the toll fees. - Political Bureau