An appeal to stop tolling on Gauteng’s major highways was refused by the Supreme Court of Appeal on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Judge Fritz Brand also made no order as to costs after refusing the appeal application by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa).<\/p>\n
However, the SCA set aside a high court order which directed Outa to pay the costs of the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), the Gauteng transport MEC, and the National Treasury.<\/p>\n
Outa, the SA Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association, the SA National Consumer Union, and the Quadpara Association of SA filed an appeal application to stop e-tolls on seven mayor roads around Johannesburg and Pretoria.<\/p>\n
“The clock cannot be turned back to when the toll roads were declared, and I think it would be contrary to the interest of justice to attempt to do so,” said Brand.<\/p>\n
The court held that despite everything that was done and said, the reality was that the review application was brought five years after the toll roads were declared.<\/p>\n
“In those five years, things have happened that cannot be undone,” said Brand.<\/p>\n
The “truly magnificent” highway upgrades would primarily be enjoyed by Gauteng motorists, but they would also benefit the economy of the country as a whole.<\/p>\n
However, the downside was the R20 billion already spent by Sanral with borrowed money. The government had signed the guarantee for the amount.<\/p>\n
Even with no toll money collected, the government would eventually have to pay the R20bn.<\/p>\n
Brand said the costs would probably be passed to those who could least afford it and on whom the effect would by no means be trivial.<\/p>\n
Outa\u2019s e-toll case dismissed<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What if you don\u2019t pay e-tolls?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n People want e-tolls: Transport Minister<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n E-tolls or fuel levy: Sanral can\u2019t have both<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n