E-toll “propaganda” costing Sanral millions: DA

·4 Jul 2013

Sanral’s advertising expenditure has almost tripled over the past 2 years in a bid to push its e-toll “propaganda”, the DA says.

A response to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that Sanral’s expenditure on advertising increased from R30.4 million in 2010/11, to R84.5 million in 2011/12 and R87.1 million in 2012/13.

“The reply is a clear indication that in the last two years, and since the announcement of e-tolling, SANRAL has changed its advertising patterns from awareness campaigns in 2010/11 to mass e-toll propaganda in both 2011/12 and 2012/13 on television, radio and print media,” said DA shadow minister of transport, Ian Ollis.

“Full page and half page advertisements have appeared in most national newspapers, falsely arguing against alternative funding mechanisms for road maintenance and infrastructure, such as a fuel levy.”

The DA and other affected parties have thrown support behind an ongoing campaign by Outa against the e-toll systems set to be implemented in Gauteng.

In April 2012, the High Court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be implemented.

The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of the review. Sanral and the National Treasury appealed the court order.

In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order, and in December, the High Court in Pretoria dismissed Outa’s application to scrap e-tolling.

The court granted Outa leave on 25 January 2013 to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

The appeal is expected to be heard on September 25 and 26.

(with Sapa)