Johannesburg - President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce the future of e-tolls soon, Gauteng Premier David Makhura announced on Tuesday.
In his State of the Province Address (Sopa) at the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane, Makhura revealed that a decision on the e-tolls had already been made, and all that was left was for Ramaphosa to publicly announce it.
He described the decision on the future of the e-tolls as “imminent”.
“As the executive council, we made a strong and persuasive case to the national government on the e-tolls. I have been assured by the president that a lasting solution has been found, and an announcement by the president is imminent,” Makhura said.
On Monday, DA Gauteng caucus leader Solly Msimanga demanded that the e-toll saga be put to an end.
“The people of Gauteng deserve to be free of this unjust system of taxation that was foisted on them,” Msimanga said.
In July, The Star reported that the National Treasury had warned that the termination of e-tolls would force the state to pay R11.1billion in unguaranteed debt, and also be responsible for guaranteed debt of R19bn.
Makhura’s administration is also to roll out lifestyle audits of public office bearers and government officials, a process being spearheaded by the Presidency.
But Msimanga was critical of
Makhura’s lengthy SOPA speech,
describing it as “same old rehashing of
old plans under a new guise of Growing Gauteng Together (GTT2030).”
“In fact some of the things we
heard here today we heard 10 years
ago,” he said.
Makhura announced his administration’s ambitious plan, GTT2030,
through which he hopes to grow
the province’s economy to contribute R2 trillion to the country’s gross
domestic product (GDP), up from
R1.59 trillion and deliver 3.1 million
jobs in the next decade.
The provincial government has
identified 10 high growth sectors it
will focus on in the next decade: from
safeguarding Gauteng’s energy supply
to the industrialisation of cannabis
including agro-processing for medicinal purposes, health and skincare
products.
Makhura also announced a looming comprehensive review of the
provincial government’s agencies and
entities to ensure that they play a
key role in the implementation of
GTT2030.
“Decisive action will be taken in
agencies that have degenerated into
a playground of rogue and corrupt
officials,” he warned.
According to Makhura, some agencies are not focusing on their mandates
but are riddled with divisions.
During his second term as the province’s first citizen, Makhura has undertaken to tighten the ethical screws in
his administration.
“I will not appoint officials who
failed vetting in the Gauteng provincial government,” he said.
Makhura said all heads of departments were vetted last year.