MEC red-flags KZN e-tolling proposal
Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu says the provincial government will reject any further tolling in the province through the controversial e-tolling system being rolled out in Gauteng, because it would have dire financial consequences for motorists. Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu says the provincial government will reject any further tolling in the province through the controversial e-tolling system being rolled out in Gauteng, because it would have dire financial consequences for motorists.
Kamini Padayachee
Economic Development and Tourism MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu says the provincial government will reject any further tolling in the province through the controversial e-tolling system being rolled out in Gauteng, because it would have dire financial consequences for motorists.
Earlier this month, the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) announced that the system would be introduced on Gauteng highways in July.
Gantries would be placed on highways to record electronic tags and number plates on vehicles, with invoices sent to motorists.
Sanral said it would cost ordinary motorists 66 cents a kilometre and heavy duty vehicles R3.96 a kilometre, or 49.5 cents and R2.97 respectively if motorists purchased the e-tag.
Sanral spokeswoman Priya Pillay said yesterday that the system would be introduced across the country over a period of time.
“It will be rolled out in KZN and other areas, but we cannot say when at this stage, as we are currently focused on Gauteng.”
However, Mabuyakhulu said yesterday that new tolls introduced with e-tolling would be opposed by the KZN government.
“It will increase the cost of doing business, which will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. It will also increase the cost of living for the ordinary masses as it puts up inflationary costs.”
Mabuyakhulu said the government would not object to existing tolls in KZN being converted to the e-tolling system.
“If existing tolls are converted to the e-tolling system, it would assist the easy flow of traffic as motorists would not have to stop to pay toll fees. However, any additional tolling will not be supported; it will make life very difficult for the average road user.
“We understand that new infrastructure has to be put in place and money will have to be paid towards that. But the cost of it to road users is prohibitive.”
The provincial government’s stance on the system comes after it threatened to go to court in December last year to block construction of the proposed N2 Wild Coast toll road. The cabinet opposed the proposal as the plan would have meant the introduction of a new toll plaza near eManzimtoti, raising the cost of commuting and doing business in the southern part of Durban.
Mabuyakhulu said yesterday that the province was still in talks with the national Transport Department about the Wild Coast toll road issue. He said the province would communicate its stance on the e-tolling system to the other spheres of government.
On Friday, Cosatu KZN said plans to launch a pilot project of the system in the province would be fiercely opposed. Provincial secretary Zet Luzipho said yesterday the system would further impoverish the province’s workers.
“What (tolls) we have here already are enough. The new system will put workers and the poor deeper into debt,” he said.
Luzipho said Cosatu would mobilise its members to block the system’s implementation in KZN, and called for business and the provincial government’s support.