The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) may not be able challenge e-tolling in a court case coming up in three weeks if it does not acquire ZAR1 million (US$101,000).
“There is a very real chance if we do not get this money this matter will not be heard,” Wayne Duvenage, chairperson of OUTA, said at a press conference aimed at appealing for the money.
OUTA has managed to raise ZAR8.4 million (US$848,000) and owes an approximate ZAR3 million (US$303,000) in legal fees. The ZAR1 million is required for payment to the advocates involved.
Duvenage said lawyers fighting OUTA’s case had donated their services, but the alliance has costs outstanding it cannot cover by itself. OUTA must come up with the funds before June 21.
OUTA’s court challenge against the introduction of e-tolling has mostly been funded through donations.
“OUTA continues to remind the authorities that no one is questioning the need for upgraded freeways or the fact that benefits are derived from reduced traffic congestion. Nor does OUTA suggest that society is opposed to paying for road upgrades,” said OUTA in a statement.
“What remains at the heart of this issue is the lack of constitutional requirements for meaningful public participation and the irrationality of applying an extremely costly, burdensome and inefficient means of revenue collection through e-tolling.”
