The morning session of the Gauteng e-tolls review panel on Wednesday experienced a few tense moments as an economist for Sanral took issue with objections to e-tolling.<\/p>\n
Transport economist, and research consultant Rudolf Botha was presenting a study he undertook for the SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), which included the finding that the richest 20% of households in the province paid 94% of toll fees for passenger cars.<\/p>\n
Lower income brackets mainly used public transport.<\/p>\n
“Public transport is exempted, [users of this type of transport] should shut up and not take part in this debate,” Botha said in a somewhat heated tone.<\/p>\n
Panellist John Ngcebetsha objected, saying it was unnecessary “to take that tone”.<\/p>\n
Sanral CEO Nazir Alli leapt to Botha’s defence before Botha could continue with his presentation.<\/p>\n
Alli said the “opinions expressed by a presenter are no different from opinions expressed by detractors”, but it appeared that e-tolling the detractors “seem to get a lot more space” to express their opinions.<\/p>\n
The panel was appointed by Gauteng premier David Makhura to examine the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and the electronic tolling system put in place to fund it.<\/p>\n
The panel was expected to present its findings to Makhura within 10 days.<\/p>\n
Once Botha finished his presentation and question time began, Ngcebetsha said he had interjected as “a matter of principle” because participation in discourse around the GFIP should not be limited.<\/p>\n
Botha defended his stance, saying: “There shouldn’t be debate on the issue, e-tolls are a damn good idea.”<\/p>\n
E-tolls cost 25 cents for every R100 earned<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n E-tolls are not perfect: transport minister<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n