The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has dismissed criticism over the controversial e-tolling in Gauteng, especially reports claiming the system will affect the poor.
SANRAL said in a statement the rising costs of living in South Africa should not be blamed on the e-tolling system, as well as the increased cost of fuel.
“The petrol price increase that came into effect at midnight on Tuesday adds to the cost of living,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s spokesperson for SANRAL.
Mona added: “Because of the controversy and the misinformation surrounding the introduction of e-tolling, it is an easy jump to blame all-round price rises on the way the government has decided to finance the inner Gauteng highways, but that is utterly preposterous.”
SANRAL said in an effort to further fend for both the poor and the working class, the government exempted registered public transport from the e-tolling system.
“Facts are too easily ignored and emotion takes over when e-tolling is discussed. The government’s commitment to the poor and its continuing attempts to shield the poor and the workers from even more price hikes, can best be exemplified by the fact that the highest earning quintile will bear 94 per cent of the toll fees and when the second quintile is added, this figure goes up to 99 percent,” said Mona.
Mona said the transport costs of both the workers and the poor will not be affected when e-tolling finally commences.
