The steering committee to investigate the toll tariff structure proposed for implementation on 185 km of Gauteng's highways at the end of June, would start work with a series of meetings next week Monday with key stakeholders.

The appointment of the committee followed public uproar and subsequent political unease at the tariff structure as announced at the beginning of February, set at 66 c/km for cars before discounts.

Announcing the names of the government members of the steering committee, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said on Tuesday that these stakeholders would include parties such as Business Unity South Africa and various trade unions.

Ndebele also noted that all South Africans would have the opportunity to make written submissions to the committee, and that all submissions would be considered.

There would be no public hearings.

The steering committee would be chaired by Department of Transport director-general George Mahlalela, who would, following the consultation process, compile a report for consideration by Ndebele by the end of April, stipulating recommendations for the way forward.

Government officials on the steering committee were Kgaolego Lekgoro from the office of the Gauteng premier, Benny Monama, who headed up the Gauteng Department of Public Transport and Roads, and the CEO of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), Nazir Alli.

Sanral was the project leader on the Gauteng toll roads project.

The steering committee was to include members from organised business, organised labour, commuter organisations and other government structures, said Ndebele.

The constitution of the committee was expected to be completed by March 20.

“The committee is charged with reviewing the financial assumptions underpinning the current proposed tariff structure,” noted Ndebele.

He added that he was now responsible with addressing all concerns regarding the toll roads, but that he still believed tolling to remain the most viable means to fund transport infrastructure.

However, he emphasised that it must not become “unviable to travel from place to place in Gauteng”.

“Gauteng is the bread basket of the economy, and we can’t choke that. It must be attractive to do business in Gauteng.”

Ndebele added that he recognised the perception that existed that there had been insufficient consultation on the toll tariff structure.

“We now say there is further consultation.”

In his presentation, Ndebele referred to consultation on the project that went back to 1996, however, this document contained information largely on government to government consultation – a fact highlighted by Mahlalela.

Mahlalela indicated that the first repayment on the R20-billion loan to build the Gauteng toll roads was due in March next year, and that the steering committee might have to discuss issues around the repayment of the loans with the relevant financial institutions.

He added that his department had learnt a lesson through this process on “how much can be charged”, versus what “accountants and engineers” would calculate should be charged to repay debt.

“How do you balance a scientific calculation in a consultative environment?”

“This is tolling in an urban area,” he added, “where commuting takes place on a daily basis. Historically, tolling has been on long-distance routes you use once a month when you go down to Durban. So, this is new to all of us.”

Responding to a question as to whether the steering committee process was initiated as a result of the looming local elections, Ndebele said he wanted to “deal as honestly as possible”.

“In public life, if you lie, it catches up with you.”

* Submissions can be made to The Director General, Department of Transport, 159 Struben Street, Pretoria, 0002