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The recent announcement by the Minister of Transport, Sibusiso Ndebele that a steering committee had been established to investigate the Gauteng Toll roads tariff structure is seriously lacking. The steering committee comprises various stakeholders (which will be finalized by 20 March 2011) and 4 people from the government. There is no one representing road users themselves. Considering that this will affect road users directly, this is simply unacceptable.

The four members representing government are;-
• George Mahlalela, Department of Transport Director General (who will chair the Steering Committee),
• Kgaolego Lekgoro, representing the Office of the Gauteng Premier,
• Benny Monama, from the Gauteng Department of Public Transport and Roads and
• Nazir Alli, Chief Executive Officer for SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited).

Although the Democratic Alliance recognizes that the steering committee will also include representatives from organized labour and business, commuter organizations and trade unions, the consultation process still remains too closed. This limited consultation has a potential in repeating the problem that the Minister currently finds himself in: where there was mass outcry by road users in general on the unacceptably high toll tariffs. SANRAL wanted to implement this project without undergoing any consultation process of any description.

Besides the proposed steering committee comprising various high level stakeholders, this consultation process needs to ensure that the voices of the individual people using the roads in Gauteng are heard. Leaving out the people who use Gauteng roads daily may result in businesses being forced out of the province to areas that will demand less expenses that these toll roads will demand.

The DA is itself currently preparing a submission as part of this process.

I will be tabling a motion with notice in Parliament on this issue.