DA hatches new e-toll plan of attack

·4 Jul 2014

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to re-ignite its battle against e-tolls in Gauteng on Monday, as DA Parliamentary Leader, Mmusi Maimane MP, outlines parliamentary action.

Last month, the Constitutional Court dismissed a DA application for leave to appeal against a decision regarding the constitutionality of e-tolling legislation.

“[The court] decided it was not in the interest of justice for the Constitutional Court to hear it [the matter] at this stage,” the DA said.

“This does not mean there is no merit [to the case], just that they are not the right court,” it said.

The political party said that it would assess whether to seek leave to appeal in the Supreme Court of Appeal.

In March, the Western Cape High Court dismissed the party’s attempt to have the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill declared unconstitutional and invalid.

The DA argued that the bill had not been passed according to what it deemed to be proper procedure — with input from the provinces.

DA Parliamentary Leader, Maimane MP and DA Shadow Transport Minister Manny De Freitas MP, will brief the media on the DA’s continued e-tolls battle, on Monday (7 July).

“Maimane and De Freitas will present a plan, which the DA will table in the National Assembly,” the DA said.

The party’s fresh attack on the e-toll system comes after Gauteng premier, David Makhura, is expected to appoint an e-toll review panel next week.

Makhura, speaking at the State of the Province address for Gauteng last week, said that “people’s [voices] must be heard on all the issues that affect our province”.

“It is against this background that we shall also set up a panel to review the impact of e-tolls and invite new proposals on how we can find a lasting solution to this matter, working with the national government, municipalities and all sectors of society,” he said.