E-tolls are finished and done for in South Africa – finally
Gauteng MEC for Finance Jacob Mamabolo has confirmed great news for South African motorists, the dreaded e-tolls are finished!
It’s officially official, e-tolls are finished, says Gauteng MEC for Finance Jacob Mamabolo. From its inception date on 3 December 2013, the public stood defiantly against the system. Now, 3 771-days on, e-tolls are finished. But not without a few loose ends and billion Rands of debt.
E-TOLLS ARE FINISHED
In a report from Business Tech, Mamabolo said the failed tolling scheme would be shut down on 31 March 2024. Presenting the Gauteng budget earlier this week (Tuesday 5 March), he explained that the province has approached financial institutions to settle its debt. Moreover, R4 billion is needed to settle its maintenance backlog with SANRAL. And it intends to spread the repayment over a period of four years.
Furthermore, total debt on the failed e-toll project has snowballed to R13 billion. And the National Treasury will foot the bill for the balance (70%). Likewise, much confusion has surrounded how Gauteng would pay back its portion. Hence, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s assertion earlier in the year that outstanding e-toll debts should be collected from motorists.
NO APRIL FOOLS
“Come 31 March 2024 and the new financial year, e-tolls will be a thing of the past. This demonstrates beyond any reasonable doubt the province’s commitment to comply with National Treasury to exit the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project,” confirmed Mamabolo.
As soon as e-tolls are finished, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says the sophisticated gantries will be switched to other operational duties. These will mostly be crime-prevention related. Likewise, e-tags will continue to function and still be usable at tollbooths around the country (as they are now).