An announcement about the controversial Gauteng e-tolling project will not likely be made anytime soon, according to the Department of Transport (DOT).
It says the project's steering committee, formed by minister Sibusiso Ndebele to address the e-toll tariff structure, is compiling the stakeholder engagement draft report.
The department previously said the report would be finalised today. However, the report will not be handed to the minister as yet.
“Given the number of issues which have been raised during the stakeholder engagement, it is expected that once the report is handed over to the minister, the minister will take time to exercise his mind studying the report.”
No rush
The department also notes that before any announcement can be made on the situation, there will be another meeting with the stakeholders who made submissions to the steering committee.
“It is only after this consultation, over the coming weeks, that the minister will then be in a position to issue a final decision on e-tolling.”
The DOT says it will ensure this matter, which attracted an outcry from a wide-ranging number of stakeholders, is dealt with thoroughly and in a manner that addresses the concerns raised during consultations.
“It is of singular importance to us is that this process retains its integrity and that the outcome reflects the honest engagement we have had with our people across the spectrum. In reaching a final decision on this matter, it remains our duty to ensure that all the inputs are considered.”
Election ploy?
The official opposition and independent political analyst Daniel Silke said the continuous delays with finalising the report and subsequently engaging with stakeholders is probably due to next week's elections.
The steering committee was initially supposed to present the report to stakeholders on 18 April.
“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,” says Democratic Alliance spokesperson for transport in Gauteng Neil Campbell.
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.
However, the DOT denies the election-motivated pushback. “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,” says acting director-general for roads and transport James Mlawu.
Public outrage
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 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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