Claims by Jack Bloom, Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng caucus leader, indicating motorists in the province will face more tolled highways as the second phase of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) were given the greenlight, have been denied.
Bloom said on Friday Nomvula Mokonyane, premier of Gauteng, revealed the second e-toll phase for the province when responding to his queries in the legislature.
The implementation of the controversial project’s second phase is in contrast with Sibusiso Ndebele, the former transport minister’s statement, which said phase two would not go ahead until all consultative processes were exhausted.
BusinessDay Livequoted Bloom as saying: “It now appears that the decision has already been made. In oral response on Tuesday the premier said it would fall under the presidential integrated infrastructure programme, which is national. It means to project will go ahead.”
However, Eye Witness News reported the Department of Transport had dismissed the second e-toll phase reports, calling them “lies”.
Tiyani Rikhotso, spokesperson for the department said the plans were not discussed at either a provincial or national level.
“No decision has been taken yet by the Minister of Transport with regards to how the rest of the stages will be rolled out. Until such time, any statements will be devoid of truth,” said Rikhotso.
The e-tolling project in Gauteng will charge motorists in the province ZAR0.30 a litre (US$0.03) or ZAR550 (US$60.00) per month. The revenue generated from the project will reportedly pay off the debt incurred by Sanral in 2007 to construct the GFIP.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) is set to challenge the first phase of the e-tolling project in the supreme court while the Democratic Alliance (DA) is preparing to fight the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (SANRAL) plan to implement the e-tolling system in the Western Cape.
“Government seems determined to push tolls countrywide, including the N1-N2 Cape Winelands and other routes. The Democratic Alliance will continue to fiercely oppose the e-tolls and any further tolled urban highways,” said Bloom.
