E-tolls on the verge of collapsing: report
The Gauteng e-toll project is teetering on the brink of total collapse, and the knives are out for Sanral CEO Nazir Alli who is blamed for the mess.
The Sunday Independent reported that monthly e-toll collections have dropped to R60 million, far less than Sanral’s monthly bond repayment of R260 million.
The newspaper quoted sources close to the e-toll project, who said that the ANC is losing votes in protest over the e-toll system.
Gauteng’s e-toll project faced massive opposition from political parties, citizens, and organisations like the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance since it was announced a few years ago.
Even groups within the ANC, including the ANC Youth League and ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile, have criticized e-tolls.
Mashatile said in 2014 that alternative ways needed to be found to fund the Gauteng freeway upgrade project.
Despite the outcry from these groups and individuals, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in May 2015 that e-tolling would remain in place.
Ramaphosa announced reduced rates to motorists, but this did little to calm the anger towards the project – and motorists still refuse to pay for e-tolls.
The full report is available in The Sunday Independent of 11 October 2015.
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