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Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi must come clean about when e-Toll gantries will be switched off. Lesufi promised during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) that the gantries would be switched off by 31 March 2024.

However, for this to happen, the switching off of the e-Toll gantries must be gazetted 14 days before the proposed date. This has not yet happened.

It is clear that e-Tolls are here to stay for the foreseeable future and that, like his predecessor, David Makhura, Lesufi has made another empty promise.

This is typical of the current administration. This unwanted system of e-Tolls was foisted upon the residents of this province and is once again being used as an election ploy for votes.

Should the gantries not be switched off on 31 March 2024, motorists will continue to be billed for this unwanted system. The current government is aware that our residents cannot afford to pay for e-Tolls.

Furthermore, the current portion of Gauteng’s debt for e-Tolls will also increase, and as of yet, the province does not have a way to pay for its portion of the current debt.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will continue to fight against this system because it puts an extra financial burden on the residents of this province.

The DA believes that the trucks should only be on the roads during certain times of the day and that the gantries can help monitor this and can also be used to clamp down on crime. We urge the residents not to accept any excuse for failing to switch off the gantries as promised by voting against this current government of empty promises.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - DA Gauteng Premier Candidate