The Gauteng e-toll project is being pushed back due to the upcoming municipal elections on 18 May, since the controversial nature of the project would not bode well for the ANC, says an independent analyst and the official opposition.
Independent political analyst Daniel Silke says there is no doubt the timing of the elections precipitated the postponement of the e-tolling project.
The final steering committee meeting with stakeholders around e-tolling tariffs has not taken place, nor has a date been finalised for the meeting as yet.
The steering committee was appointed by transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele to review the e-toll tariff structure and engage with the public on the matter. It was supposed to meet with stakeholders on 18 April, to present a report on the considerations that arose from the consultation process.
The e-tolling project is an open road, multilane toll infrastructure that allows tolls to be charged without drivers having to stop. There are no physical booths.
The toll tariffs were initially gazetted at 66c/km for standard light motor vehicles, and R3.96/km for heavy vehicles. However, large-scale public outrage resulted in the fees being suspended and consultation processes were started by the Department of Transport (DOT).
New deadline
Sam Monareng, deputy-director of media relations at the DOT, previously said an announcement about the project could possibly have been made this week, but this cannot happen since the shareholder meeting still did not occur.
The DOT says the steering committee met last week to put final touches to the toll tariff and stakeholder engagement report. The report was expected to be presented to Ndebele and Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane by the end of April.
However, since comments and proposals were invited from organised formations and civil society, the response had been overwhelming, resulting in the deadline for the submission of the report needing to be shifted. In addition, since the majority of South Africans took the much-needed Easter holiday break, the steering committee also had to reschedule its follow-up engagement and consultation with the stakeholders, says the department.
It adds that the consolidated report will be finalised by the committee this Friday and the follow-up meeting with the stakeholders will be arranged soon thereafter.
Combustible topic
This is an issue by and large in the ANC's constituency and is one that could be removed from the national debate before elections and so it was, says Silke.
He adds that further concessions on e-tolling will be seen once the elections are over. The implementation of pricing for the project, and then the consultations on the pricing, were inadequate and this makes it a combustible issue before 18 May.
However, the DOT denies the election-motivated pushback. Acting deputy director-general for roads and transport James Mlawu says the consultation process involves both Ndebele and Mokonyane. “Their diaries at the moment would be very difficult to marry. So I don't think it's about elections.
“We have been put through the wheel full-steam. You could only say there is a delay if the report is ready and they are sitting on it, but the minister hasn't seen the report, so there is no political delay.”
Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson for transport in Gauteng Neil Campbell says he also suspects the delay in the project progress is due to the elections.
“There was no doubt the original feedback session was going to be on the 18th of last month and yet it was pushed back and still hasn't happened. I think this whole thing is a little too sensitive for them to deal with just before the elections.
“I really hope it's not because of the elections, but one must be cognisant of the fact that it could be.”
Unclear implementation
Monareng says there is no confirmed date for the implementation of the project and the old deadline of 23 June cannot be held to. “The minister made it very clear that the people must get a chance to voice their opinions.”
Monareng adds that the consultation process can't be limited to the old deadline and so it will be changed as needed.
However, Campbell says the implementation date can go ahead, because everything is in place for the project.
“Basically, what they're waiting for is the minister's pleasure. If it's just an election ploy, they can go ahead and implement the day after elections, because all the ducks are in a row and everything's been promulgated.”
Multimillion-rand project
The steering committee has received inputs from and engaged with such organisations as Afriforum, the DA, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the South African Communist Party, the South African Roads Federation, Business Unity South Africa, Road Freight Association, Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing, and the Automobile Association.
“Inputs received and engaged with thus far indicate a general understanding and appreciation of the 'user-pay principle' linked to the tolling of roads as a worldwide phenomenon. A general contention that has also been raised strongly is about the rates of the proposed tariff,” says the DOT.
The estimated monthly revenue from e-tolling, based on current traffic flow and the proposed fee of 66c/km, is R300 million per month. Live testing of the e-tolling system has already begun.
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