The Democratic Alliance says it will only be able to put a stop to e-tolls in 2019, having pledged to “ramp-up the fight against e-tolls” in the run up to the local elections.
A spokesperson for Joburg mayor Herman Mashaba told BusinessTech that it could only bring about an end to the system if the DA were voted into power in 2019, as the final decision is made at national government level.
He said that that the party is still committed to bringing an end to the unpopular tolling system.
Transport Minister, Dipuo Peters, has remained firm on the matter, saying that e-tolls are set to stay despite being largely rejected by road users. She said that the project has already boosted the local economy and improved the lives of all road users in the Gauteng region.
Read: This is how many e-toll accounts are still outstanding
Mashaba’s spokesperson said that the new mayor will set up a meeting ‘soon’ with the JMPD, to ensure that the department does not harass motorists over non payment of e-toll bills.
“When I appoint the person to deal with safety I will give an instruction to JMPD that it should not be used by anyone to harass our residents on behalf of Sanral,” Mashaba told News24.
Last week, ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile called on the ruling party to respond to complaints about e-tolls.
“As our people cry out against corruption, we must respond. As our people cry out against the high fees of e-tolls we must respond,” he said. “We must tell our people ‘we have heard you’ and we will do away with the high fees… and find other ways to fund the infrastructure.”
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