Department of Transport (DoT) director-general George Mahlalela said on Monday that no decision had been made on the Gauteng toll tariffs, after media reports stated that the proposed tariff of 66c/km, before discounts, might not change.

Mahlalela, who is also the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) toll steering committee chairperson, said the articles were based on “inaccurate claims”.

“We wish to reiterate that no decision has been made on the Gauteng toll tariffs,” Mahlalela said in a statement, adding that the tariffs would be announced by Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele “in due course”.

The steering committee, which was established to make recommendations on the proposed toll tariff, had not yet completed its report, he stated.

“In the interest of all road users, we cannot rush into hasty decisions on the e-tolling issue as this might, however well-intended, undermine the very aim of having engaged with all the stakeholders.”

The committee would meet with stakeholders on Thursday.

South African National Roads Agency GFIP senior manager Alex van Niekerk said last week that it would take some time, possibly months, before toll collection could start, even if the DoT announced a revised toll fee structure in the next few weeks, as road users would have to register accounts and get etags.