The controversial Gauteng e-tolling system was put on ice once again after the ANC withdrew the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill (the e-toll bill) just before its second reading debate in Parliament today.
Gauteng motorists can breathe a sigh of relief as the Department of Transport (DOT) and SA National Roads Agency (Sanral)'s hands are tied as far as the controversial e-toll system goes - at least until February.
This comes as Business Unity SA, the Congress of SA Trade Unions and municipalities group the SA Local Government Association presented verbal submissions on e-tolling in Parliament this week.
Today was the last day that Parliament could vote on bills for the year and, according to Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on transport Ian Ollis, a threat from opposition to stage a walkout during the e-toll bill debate caused the ANC to withdraw the bill completely this afternoon.
"The committee's deliberations on the bill will now continue in the new year. The bill can only be considered by Parliament when it opens on 10 February and will then be sent to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP). The committee agreed to request the NCOP to have public hearings in all provinces that have metro cities where e-tolls could be implemented in future," says Ollis.
He says this latest development is "indeed a victory" for opposition parties and the South African public alike. He says from the DA's side, the party will monitor the situation closely to ensure that processes are followed when the bill is considered by Parliament next year - and that adequate public participation occurs through the NCOP.
"The DA has not given up in the fight against e-tolling."
Wayne Duvenage, chairperson of the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) says this is good news for SA.
He says the DOT was pushing hard to get the e-toll bill through Parliament in time for enactment this year, but now that the attempt has fallen flat, the department is effectively immobilised.
"In the rush Parliament ran out of time and now, without this missing piece of the jigsaw they cannot make a start on e-tolling until next year February."
The scheduled review of e-tolling - called for by Outa - will take place in the High Court next week, from Monday to Wednesday.
Duvenage says the alliance is fully prepared for the judicial review. "We have a strong case and now just need to convince the judge that e-tolling is wrong for SA. However, it's not a clean and easy process. After proceedings wrap up on Wednesday the judge will have to deliberate and a ruling may only be passed weeks later - possibly in January."
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