Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula
A decision on the future of e-tolls will be announced by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during the budget speech in February 2022, according to Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.
The Department of Transport on Monday issued a statement refuting reports that Cabinet had already made a final decision on the future of e-tolls. Moneyweb on Monday reported that government intends to scrap e-tolls.
During a briefing on Friday on the state of transport entities, Mbalula noted that there have been delays in reaching a final decision on e-tolls as any decision will have financial implications that need to be responded to. "Those financial implications, we need to respond to," he said. He added that Treasury is working on the financial implications.
E-tolling was first introduced by government in 2011 as a means to fund the R17.9-billion Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. But there have been under collections from motorists who refuse to pay, Fin24 previously reported.
Mbalula assured that the announcement by Godongwana in February will be a Cabinet decision.
"That decision on e-tolls will be made. The minister (Enoch Godongwana) will speak to that in February," Mbalula said. He added that the consultation process on Treasury's side had not been finalised. "The announcement made in the February budget will be a cabinet decision by the minister of finance."
The Department of Transport in its statement reiterated that the matter of e-tolls is receiving priority attention by Cabinet and will soon be finalised.
"The final determination is about how best to carry the cost burden of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, while maintaining these roads in a pristine condition," Mbalula said. The Department of Transport noted that a delay on the e-tolls decision is affecting the South African National Road Agency's balance sheet and its ability to maintain non-toll roads.