The user-pays principle to be implemented on Gauteng\u2019s freeways was comparable to paying to use a toilet, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters said on Thursday (10 October).<\/p>\n
\u201cThose who use a facility, you pay R1 or R2. Those toilets need to be maintained. Would you pay [to use a] dirty toilet?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
She was speaking at the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry\u2019s (Sacci) annual convention.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed an Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance appeal against the implementation of e-tolls by the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).<\/p>\n
Increasing the fuel levy was not the answer to funding the expansion and maintenance of road infrastructure, Peters told an infrastructure plenary at the SACCI convention in Midrand.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people are talking about using taxes,\u201d she said. \u201c[The] fuel levy is not going to address our concerns\u2026 .We cannot put it [the cost] into the fuel levy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Given the amount of money the government contributed to social grants, using the fiscus as a separate option to pay for road infrastructure would negatively affect the poor.<\/p>\n
\u201cShould we take that money away from poor children whose fathers have slept on work surfaces?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n
The politicisation of e-tolls, specifically the user-pays principle, did not help anyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t help us to play politics with infrastructure development,\u201d Peters said.<\/p>\n
The Democratic Alliance recently erected billboards on the N1 and N3 highways reading: \u201cE-tolls: Proudly Brought To You By The ANC\u201d.<\/p>\n
The ruling African National Congress said it had noted the billboards, but declined to comment.<\/p>\n
Peters told reporters e-tolls would be operational by the end of the year.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the government had celebrated Wednesday\u2019s court ruling, she replied: \u201cIt\u2019s not about celebration\u2026. We just need to make sure to implement.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fight against e-tolls now up to people of Gauteng: DA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n E-tolls cannot be undone: Judge<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Outa\u2019s e-toll case dismissed<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What if you don\u2019t pay e-tolls?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n People want e-tolls: Transport Minister<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n