On Friday 10 February 2017, the Constitutional Court dismissed the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (SANRAL) application for leave to appeal against the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the Winelands tolling matter.

I have met with Councillor Brett Herron, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development Authority in the City of Cape Town (CoCT) and congratulated him on this victory.

The ruling follows a five-year long court battle against SANRAL, as the CoCT fought to prevent the illegitimate and excessive taxation on road users. SANRAL’s tolling would cost road users R62 billion in toll fees over 30 years.

The extra cost burden would have placed small businesses under unnecessary pressure in trading and transporting goods. It would also have meant the same for established businesses and would have had a negative impact on job creation.

The DA commends the action taken by the CoCT. Their victory is a victory for the poor, who would have suffered the burden of costly tolling. We have to find sustainable alternatives to maintain our roads where necessary. It cannot be at the expense of our most vulnerable and for the benefit of the politically connected few.

 

Issued by DA