South Africans opposed to government's highly contentious e-tolls have been dealt another blow, with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissing a legal objection against the open-road tolling system.
Two weeks ago, to the day, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) had its day in the Bloemfontein court, where it pleaded the case of Gauteng motorists who feel hard done by, by having to fork out another tax for using the province's highways.
Optimistic at the time in what it believed was a strong case against e-tolls, Outa's appeal last month came in response to a judgement passed down by judge Louis Vorster in December last year, which deemed e-tolling - and the manner in which government went about the project - fair and legal. The High Court granted Outa the leave to appeal in January.
Eight months and scores of mass protests later, the two-day court affair saw Outa going up against the state's e-toll agents, the Department of Transport (DOT) and SA National Roads Agency (Sanral). This morning, while the SCA dismissed the appeal - it did not order Outa to pay the legal costs involved.
Responding to the ruling this morning, Outa chairperson Wayne Duvenage said: "Outa is disappointed at the outcome based on the merits, but pleased with the SCA's decision on the costs order."
Duvenage says the alliance, and its legal representatives, are studying the judgment and a press conference will be held tomorrow - during which a full reaction statement will be made.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) - which has ardently campaigned against e-tolls - says today's ruling is not the end of the road.
DA national spokesperson Mmusi Maimane says the e-toll fight is now in the hands of the people of Gauteng.
The DOT has consistently argued that the SCA hearing would have no bearing on e-tolling, and this week announced the system would go live during the holiday season.
This, after president Jacob Zuma signed the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill (e-toll Bill) on 21 September - giving e-tolls the green light.
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