UASA supports the Federations of Unions of South Africa’s (FEDUSA) call on the government to scrap all e-toll debt. The federation says it is unreasonable to hold citizens responsible for payments based on a system that was never implemented and imposed on them without appropriate consultations. 

E-tolls were established in 2013 as part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). To date, motorists are left with massive debt and no clear indication of the way forward from the government. 

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says motorists will still receive invoices after the shutdown. No transactions will appear on the invoices, but if you used toll roads in the past, you must pay for it.   

While the issue of e-toll historical debt is still an ongoing discussion, UASA urges the government to swiftly look into possible solutions to ensure the debt is settled and assist the financially over-burdened consumers in Gauteng. 

Sanral, the Gauteng government and the Treasury must continue as agreed in terms of debt payment, with the Gauteng government expected to pay 30% of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) debt. Treasury is expected to pay 70%. 

We hope the scrapping of e-tolls will not eventually collapse infrastructure on Gauteng freeways and that the Gauteng Provincial Government will take responsibility for the freeway improvement programme and future maintenance costs as promised.  

The federation reiterated the importance of public participation in policy matters and called for transparency. 

 

Issued by UASA spokesperson Abigail Moyo