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After more than a decade of back-and-forth, Gauteng has finally pulled the plug on the controversial e-toll system. The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), affectionately known as e-tolls, saw its gantries officially switched off at the stroke of midnight on 11 April, marking the end of an era in South African road infrastructure management and funding.
The e-toll system, which was introduced in 2013, was intended to finance critical road upgrades in Gauteng. However, its implementation faced widespread resistance, with many motorists refusing to pay the tolls despite mounting debt on their tags. Despite efforts by the authorities to encourage compliance, including toll reductions and legal threats, the e-toll system never gained widespread acceptance.
The decision to scrap the e-toll system comes after years of public outcry and dissatisfaction, but before you start planning your celebratory road trip, there’s a little fine print to go over.
Q: Does that mean I don’t have to pay tolls anymore?
A: While the e-toll system is being abolished, there’s a catch. If you used the toll roads up until midnight on April 11, you’re still responsible for any outstanding debts. In a media briefing on 10 April, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Sanral CEO Reginald Demana clarified that motorists who used the toll roads until their official operations ceased will still be liable to pay their debt.
“In terms of the law, the motorists are still obligated to pay. It’s an obligation in terms of the law — on how we’ll enforce or not enforce that, we have not discussed,” according to Transport Minister Chikunga. The government has yet to announce how it plans to enforce the collection of these outstanding toll fees. This uncertainty leaves many motorists wondering about the implications for their finances and the potential methods of debt collection.
Q: What’s the plan for the e-toll gantries?
A: The e-toll gantries won’t go to waste. They’ll be repurposed for other uses, such as speed traps and monitoring highways for stolen vehicles and cloned plate numbers. Transport Minister Chikunga stated that the e-toll gantries would now be used as speed traps and monitored to capture stolen vehicles and cloned plate numbers.
Q: How will the financial side of things be handled?
A: This is where it gets a bit complex. The Gauteng government is in the process of figuring out how to settle a significant portion of Sanral’s debt and ensure the roads remain maintained. Lesufi explained, “We had an agreement to split Sanral’s e-toll debt at 70:30. We made our commitment and gave money to Sanral last year.”
Essentially, this means that the Gauteng government is not only tasked with settling a portion of Sanral’s debt but also assumes responsibility for maintaining and upkeep of the road infrastructure. However, the finer details of how this maintenance will be funded and executed are still being ironed out through ongoing discussions and planning efforts. With the cessation of the e-toll system, the responsibility for maintaining the roads falls squarely on the shoulders of the Gauteng government.
Q: What about those who’ve already paid their tolls?
A: Understandably, motorists who diligently paid their e-toll fees since 2013 may have some residual resentment. In an interview with 702 in January 2023, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi that the 17% of people who had payed their e-toll’s would be refunded. Lesufi however noted the complexity and costliness of refunding the estimated R6.9 billion. Consequently, the government has backtracked on its promise, now insisting that everyone must pay their outstanding bills.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) acknowledged that, “those people who are paying must know that the likelihood of them getting refunded is slim to zero.” In the past, Outa has been particularly outspoken, raising concerns about the fairness and viability of the e-toll system. Outa has not only lobbied against the implementation of e-tolls but has also legally challenged the scheme in court.
As Gauteng bids farewell to the controversial e-toll system, questions linger about outstanding debts, gantry repurposing, and the financial implications for motorists. It’s the end of an era in South African road infrastructure, but the fine print of its closure is yet to be fully understood.
