The Democratic Alliance (DA) says that Gauteng premier David Makhura can take action if national government refuses to review national legislation on e-tolls.<\/p>\n
It follows reports that transport minister Dipuo Peters would reject any findings from the advisory panel on e-tolls, set up by the Gauteng premier.<\/p>\n
Peters reportedly said that the national government would not change its position on the controversial e-tolling system, despite the findings of the advisory panel, set up to assess the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), and e-tolls.<\/p>\n
The outcomes of the hearings, currently ongoing, will be presented in a report to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in November.<\/p>\n
Makhura has insisted that he will act on the findings of the e-toll panel, while ANC officials in Gauteng are reportedly concerned about the system’s political impact on the ruling party.<\/p>\n
John Moodey, DA Gauteng Caucus and Provincial Leader underlined several proposals for the premier to consider, “if he is serious about achieving an actual outcome from this review panel”.<\/p>\n
“Firstly, he can obtain a court interdict to stop the further roll out of e-tolling in the province,” Moodey said. The DA said that phase 2 of the e-tolling project will see at least a further 300km of the province\u2019s highways tolled.<\/p>\n
“This has already been done successfully in the DA-governed Western Cape where Sanral\u2019s plans to introduce e-tolling were stopped in their tracks,” the party said.<\/p>\n
“Secondly, the premier could declare an inter-governmental dispute in terms of Section 41 of the Constitution and the 2005 Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act. This is a constitutional mechanism which allows the provincial government to enter into mediation with national government over the issue of e-tolling,” Moodey said.<\/p>\n
A third option would be for the Premier to call a provincial referendum in accordance with Section 127 of the Constitution, giving Gauteng\u2019s residents the power to accept or reject e-tolls, the DA said.<\/p>\n
“So far the premier has shown great resilience to Minister Peters\u2019 opposition to the e-toll review panel. However, it remains to be seen whether the premier will act upon what is the only obvious outcome of the panel\u2019s findings,” Moodey said.<\/p>\n
E-tolls will not be scrapped: JPSA<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Government not interested in e-toll panel<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n