EVEN the minister admits that toll roads hold no benefits

The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) - commonly known as the toll-roads project - which forces motorists to pay for the use of highways in Gauteng, was bulldozed through without much thought, consultation or consideration for the road user and the consequences to the economy.

The fact that Gauteng is the strongest economy not only in South Africa but in Africa makes the issue an even more serious one.

So it is interesting that in replies to questions (question number 2598) posed by the DA to the Minister of Transport, he says the following: "In my considered view, and in retrospect, the original feasibility study did not sufficiently weigh up international evidence suggesting that freeway expansion often does not in the medium term solve congestion challenges and often induces greater demand."

The minister is effectively admitting to a mistake on the part of his ministry and Sanral (South African National Roads Agency Limited). Why then does the minister insist on going ahead with this project?

In fact, the minister admitted in his reply that the feasibility study undertaken in 2007 "also failed to consider alternative solutions to congestion - improving public transport provision, moving more freight on to rail and a curb on urban sprawl."

The best Christmas gift the Minister could give South Africa would be to completely scrap the toll-roads project.

• Manny de Freitas MP, DA shadow deputy minister of transport