The proposed e-tolling system for South Africa’s roads has suffered a setback after the African National Congress (ANC) postponed a parliamentary debate.
The Treasury announced in October they hoped e-tolling would be introduced from December.
The relevant Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill (e-tolling) was due to be discussed on Thursday, but the ANC pulled back.
It will now not be debated until February and if passed would not become active until April or May.
The initiative, which is supported by the ANC and would be rolled out by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), has previously been described as privatisation.
Ian Ollis, the Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson for Transport, said: “We will be monitoring the situation closely to ensure that all proper processes are followed when this bill is considered by Parliament in 2013 and that adequate public participation has taken place through the NCOP.”
E-tolling is due to be rolled out in Gauteng province first to pay for the recently upgraded freeway network there, but the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance has described it as an “inefficient” process to collect the money.
