The hundreds of thousands of motorists who have refused to pay e-tolls are in good company — major municipalities are in arrears to the tune of millions of rands.
Transport Minister Dipuo Peters disclosed in parliament this week that Gauteng municipalities owed the SA National Roads Agency a total of R2.4-million‚ triggering an outcry from politicians and glee from anti-tolling activists.
The Ekurhuleni Metro is the biggest offender with arrears of R1.838-million‚ followed by Tshwane (R351644) Emfuleni Local Municipality (R127685) and Lesedi Local Municipality (R111000).
All the councils are controlled by the ANC‚ which officially supports the new e-toll dispensation‚ announced in May. It contains significantly reduced tariffs.
Peters made the disclosure about the arrears in response to a parliamentary question by the DA. She said the municipalities would benefit from a 60% discount in terms of the new e-tolls tariffs.
But these have yet to come into effect.