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E-tolls on the brink of collapse

Staff Writer
By Staff Writer, ITWeb
Johannesburg, 11 Oct 2015
African National Congress leaders believe the controversial e-tolling saga is costing the party significant votes.
African National Congress leaders believe the controversial e-tolling saga is costing the party significant votes.

Gauteng's controversial e-tolls project is on the brink of total collapse as SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) boss looks set to take the fall, the Sunday Independent reports.

According to the Sunday Independent, sources close to the situation say "knives are already out for embattled Sanral boss Nazir Alli as angry African National Congress (ANC) leaders blame him for the messy e-tolls saga."

The ANC believes e-tolls are costing the party significant votes as its traditional voters either turn against the party or simply refuse to cast their votes in favour of the ANC in protest against the e-tolling system, the newspaper notes.

Alli's days as Sanral chief executive are numbered as ANC heavyweights, including party secreatry-general Gwede Mantashe, blame him for the e-tolls fiasco, reports the newspaper.

"It is believed that Alli's departure will enable stakeholders within the ANC to reconsider the e-toll project. This is his pet project and it is actually very difficult to reconsider other available options while he is around," says a source.

According to the newspaper, monthly revenue collections at Sanral have dropped to R60 million while the bond repayment remains R260 million every month.

Sanral implemented the e-tolling system in 2013 despite public outcry as well as orgarnisations like the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance, Cosatu and the Democratic Alliance.

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