Company Annnouncement - After carefully studying the new e-tolls package offered by government, the State Owned Entities Communicators Association welcomes it and commends government for the elegant compromise that has been reached. "In particular, we welcome the reduced monthly caps for all classes of vehicles and the application of the lower e-tag tariff to all road users. Also, government has shown consideration for those who are in arrears by offering them a 60% discount and giving them six months to settle," said SOECA's president Congress Mahlangu.

Indeed, there could be citizens, including SOECA's own members, who might not have paid or had stopped paying because of the uncertainty that at one stage characterized the project, he said. "The discount and grace period given to settle outstanding e-tolls demonstrate the caring nature of government and this must be commended." Critically, the policy certainty introduced by the new dispensation for e-tolls will allow SANRAL to execute its mandate unhindered, said Mahlangu. "As an organization that is working in the SOE sector, we have an interest in how the shareholder (government in general) creates an enabling environment for state owned entities to operate and, in particular, communicate their activities. The announcement by government does remove some of the obstacles SANRAL was facing in this regard."

SOECA would like to urge SANRAL to now fully communicate the different aspects of the new package, taking into account the diversity of the users of its roads in general and the e-tolled roads in particular.

Mahlangu said SOECA encourages all of its members to support the new e-tolls dispensation and pay their dues not only in respect of toll fees but all services provided by government. "It cannot be that as public servants who draw a salary from the public purse we refuse to pay for services. We must set an example," he concluded.