Pretoria - Transport Minister Dipuo Peters says organised labour, political parties, interest groups and the public must understand that the Gauteng e-tolling system is lawful.
“This project was not undertaken without thought or consultation; it is not the perfect solution, but doing nothing was not an option. So much has been said about this project and in the narrative there have been truths, half-truths and plain lies,” she said.
Minister Peters was speaking before the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) made its submission to the e-toll advisory panel in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The advisory panel was established by Premier David Makhura in July to assess the socio-economic impact of e-tolls in Gauteng. The panel is expected to submit its finding to the Premier by the end of this month.
Minister Peters emphasised that Sanral does not make policy and does not decide on financing.
“The spurious allegations about Sanral ‘milking it’ or ‘profiting at the expense of the public’ must be stopped. Sanral does not make policy, it implements government policy.
“This is important to clarify because of persistent and unfortunate attempts to isolate the agency from government.
“Government has, through this agency, delivered a solid and quality national road network that we all should be proud of. In South Africa we do not have national roads that are riddled with potholes,” she said.
Minister Peters said attempts to project the agency as profit-driven were unfortunate.
“Sanral's sole shareholder is the Minister of Transport, representing government, and the entity has no mandate to make, declare and retain any profit. Its mandate, on the tolling side, is to operate on a cost-recovery basis.
“We live in a constitutional democracy and while debate is encouraged, lawlessness can never be. We are hoping that our engagement with the panel over the next three days will affirm the truths, complete the half-truths and jettison the lies,” she said.
According to the National Development Plan (NDP), by 2030 investments in the transport sector will ensure that it serves as a key driver in empowering South Africa and its people, enabling improved access to economic opportunities, social spaces and services by bridging geographic distances affordably, reliably and safely.
It further states that moving towards 2030, South Africa’s transport system will support economic development, job creation and growth, providing equitable access to opportunities and services for all and reducing poverty.
The Gauteng e-toll system was approved by Cabinet in 2007 to rehabilitate and improve road infrastructure in Gauteng.
The Albertina Sisulu highway, previously known as R21, was handed over to national government by the provincial government of Gauteng in April 2008.
The decision to implement the Gauteng e-toll system with its chosen funding mechanism was taken after a thorough consultative process and its implementation was in compliance with appropriate legislation.
Discussions around the tolling of Gauteng freeways started in 1996. - SAnews.gov.za
