"The provincial government can and must fight for the interests of the people of the province"

Provincial government is the right place to fight e-tolling, DA Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said on Tuesday.

"The provincial government can and must fight for the interests of the people of the province," he told reporters in Johannesburg.

"I think Sanral [SA National Roads Agency Ltd] needs to know we will take a different stance on e-tolling."

Maimane said the gantries already up on the highways represented only the first phase of e-tolling.

At least 300km of the province's roads could be expected to be tolled in the second phase.

Maimane said he would hold a referendum on e-tolling if elected premier of Gauteng.

"Residents will be able to vote whether they want tolling or not. Public opposition cannot be ignored, we cannot continue ignoring the people of this province."