Gauteng premier David Makhura and the Department of Transport are at odds over the e-toll review panel, according to a report by The Sunday Independent.<\/p>\n
Makhura is said to be \u201cdownplaying\u201d the feud between his provincial government and the national department over the establishment of the review panel, which is tasked with looking at the viability of the tolling system and taking in feedback from affected stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Gauteng road users\u2019 hopes were raised that the e-toll system might be scrapped following the review, but Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters cut short that hope when she said the panel had taken on \u201ca life of its own\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important that the panel does not create the impression that we\u2019re going to do away with the system,\u201d said Peters.<\/p>\n
The public submissions made to the review panel so far have been overwhelmingly against e-tolling, according to the newspaper.<\/p>\n
Makhura\u2019s office has now confirmed that Peters\u2019 statement on the purpose of the panel was correct \u2013 it is not there to look at the possible removal of the e-tolling system.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe mandate given to the panel is to do a socio-economic impact of the e-tolls, not (to look into) the policy itself,\u201d said Makhura\u2019s spokesman Thabo Masebe.<\/p>\n
Multiple groups, including Cosatu and Outa, have not only called for Peters to let the review panel run its course, but to scrap the e-toll system completely.<\/p>\n
The public hearings on e-tolling are set to continue this week.<\/p>\n
E-tolls will stay: Transport minister<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Sanral e-toll panel no-show no loss: JPSA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n