By Lungani Zungu
The news that the Gauteng government will refund motorists who have been paying a whopping collective R6.9 billion in e-toll fees is being taken with a pinch of salt.
Since the system was launched in 2013, motorists have been complaining about a litany of issues – including the unending glitches. Most have simply decided not to pay at all.
As complaints and criticism mounted, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced last month that the system would be scrapped early this year.
And he added that the 17% of the province’s motorists who had been paying their e-toll fees would be refunded for their losses.
But it remains unclear how the motorists will be paid and what the criteria will be.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has been leading the fight from the beginning against the imposition of e-tolls.
Outa’s chief executive Wayne Duvenage was blunt following the promise that motorists will be refunded the money they spent on e-tolls.
“We maintain that the very small percentage of road users who are still paying for e-tolls are wasting their money, as the likelihood of getting a refund is slim to zero,” said Duvenage in a statement.
He added: “Over the past few years, the authorities have indicated several dates and deadlines for the defunct scheme to be scrapped and missed them all.”
Gauteng resident Katlego Radebe took to Twitter and slammed the Gauteng government.
“This is a political strategy ahead of the elections next year. They want to win votes by saying they will scrap the e-tolls.”
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced during last year’s mid-term budget speech that the Gauteng government would take on 30% of the R47 billion owed to the South African National Road Agency (Sanral).
Sanral is the parastatal responsible for the management, maintenance and development of the country’s national road network.
Pictured above: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has promised to scrap e-tolls system in the province
Image source: @Ambrajee
