• Tweet

MASS ACTION: Cosatu members march through the streets of Pretoria in protest against the e-tolling system. PHOTO: BAFANA MAHLANGU

CREDIT RATING RISK: Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele

RELATED ARTICLES

• Court puts brakes on e-tolls

Presenting his R39-billion departmental budget for the next financial year in the National Assembly, Ndebele claimed that the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project has received the support of most users.

But opposition parties such as the DA, COPE and the ACDP slammed the toll system, with some branding it the most "expensive in the world".

Ndebele said the large majority of an estimated 800,000 regular users of Gauteng freeways have given the e-tolls the thumbs up by acquiring their e-tags.

"We are therefore encouraged that 501,245 e-tags have so far been sold and distributed to regular users of this road network, a clear indication that people are cooperating with us," he said amid a court battle by various lobby groups to prevent the implementation of the Gauteng tolls, which are scheduled for April 30.

But opposition MPs were not persuaded, with the DA's Ian Ollis leading the charge. "What we have been forced into is the world's most expensive toll collection system. It will cost over R1-billion per annum to just collect the fees.

"That money will not go to upgrade highways but to the company that won the tender," said Ollis, adding that it would cost only R4-million a year to administers a "small fuel levy" hike instead of the "expensive" tolls.

The ACDP's Steve Swart weighed in, saying his party was opposed to the tolling of suburban roads in view of rising petrol prices. He said the government should have thought of the high cost of the tolls before it entered into the project.

"This tolling project will be imposing an indirect cost on the economy via the associated strikes and will impose a direct cost by directly increasing transport costs," he said.

But Ndebele hit back by insisting that there was no way the government could do away with the e-tolls, calling them "our problem".

"Who is going to say which road do you want stopped? Which project do you want stopped because you've got R20-billion to pay. The road is there, you can't roll it away like a carpet."

Ndebele argued that the toll fees had to be enforced so as to allow the South African National Roads Agency Limited to pay off its loan of R20-billion, which was used to finance the rejuvenation of highways around Pretoria and Johannesburg in the past two years.

He said a failure to service debt, which could skyrocket to R32-billion due to interest in the near future, could compromise the country's credit rating.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Tue Jun 18 22:56:57 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 26, 2012

RobinH

Sbu: You reckon? You obviously don't know South Africans when our backs are to the wall. This etolling blunder is going to sink the boat. Just watch.
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

lindsay

is that an actual figure or just an estimation Sbu?, who did sanral consult when they borrowed that money and if it wasn't us then why should we pay?, take you own salary and pay the debt maybe next time you'll do something you actual know nincompoop
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

TheDictator

E-tagging doesnt mean people will pay.Its like my brother who acquired a TV license to purchase a TV afterwards he never paid for it again.So Sbu should not be fooled,they will have to chase those 501,245 to pay those fees.This matter is simple,scrap the e-tolls.Period!
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

raludzingana

this goverment under machine gun in the helm is going down to drain, so lets change this leadership in mangaung, remove this showerman. he is too corrupt, he influence most of the decision in our judiciary system, look at Richard mdluli case, this is boring. nx..
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

Memme

wa hlanya Sbu - no one is buying this.
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

JajazQueen

"This tolling project will be imposing an indirect cost on the economy via the associated strikes and will impose a direct cost by directly increasing transport costs," he said.
________________________

Who's going to be striking??? The five people I've seen on these 'mass actions' please??? Etoll will never affect our economy in anyway, but it will affect pockets and so it should.




Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

Makhosini0408

Indeed, the people shall govern. Are they Mr Ndebele?

Those in power will be arrogant because after all absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Another shinning example of a better life for all @ Luthuli House.

Sekwanele manje. Enough is enough.

By the way, Cosatu cannot be the player and the referee in this debacle.


Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

tpaz

large majority of an estimated 800,000 regular users of Gauteng freeways have given the e-tolls the thumbs up by acquiring their e-tags.

WHO ARE THESE IDIOTS? FLEET COMPANIES? -YES. But not individuals.






Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

Sendelimnyama

Propaganda form the minister to see his tolls, me wont register me wont pay, FUSTEK
Report Abuse

Apr 26, 2012

sarmologadi

Arrogant son of a gun Sbu...., mxmmm le re tlwaela gampe ma-ANC, where r we suppose 2 get the money with petrol hikes and imminent electricity, rates and taxes hike. Our salaries they havent increased since last year. I dare you to arrest me, I aint gonna pay, s*s
Report Abuse

Read all 199 comments