Gavin Kelly | CEO | Road Freight Association | mail me |
We note the decision by Cabinet to “finally close the historical e-toll debt”. This decision includes both the “close-out” of historical debt and the “resolution of all outstanding litigation matters”.
The Minister of Transport has “welcomed the cabinet decision”. This raises a question. Did the Department of Transport not drive this process from the outset?
The department originally promoted a “ringfenced toll revenue collection system”. It aimed to fund vital routes in and around Gauteng. This system formed part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Programme (GFIP). These repeated shifts in position reflect a policy of U-turns and detours over time.
Rising tolling pressures and infrastructure burden
Recently, the Minister of Transport noted that “widespread tolling may become necessary”. This measure would support maintenance of the road network.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) will assume responsibility for over 13,000km of roads. This transfer reflects the inability of provincial and local authorities to maintain the network. It also shows how institutional pressures drive a policy of U-turns and detours in infrastructure planning.
More toll roads rely on the “user-pay principle”. The recent experience with e-tolls demonstrates the weakness of this model. The system has struggled to achieve compliance. It has also raised questions about fairness and enforcement.
Payment inconsistencies and legal consequences
“Road-users who lawfully paid e-tolls while the system was legally in force will not be refunded”. This outcome creates a clear imbalance. It also implies that those who refused to pay committed illegal acts. Yet no penalties followed for non-compliance.
This inconsistency reinforces public frustration. It also strengthens perceptions of U-turns and detours in enforcement. A lesson must be learned here. It is not the type of lesson any government should teach citizens.
The state depends on taxpayers and service levy contributors. Yet several questions arise from rational taxpayers. Why should citizens pay when others do not face consequences? What future levy or tax might citizens also choose to reject? These questions reflect declining trust in governance. They also highlight repeated U-turns and detours in fiscal enforcement.
Gauteng e-toll debt and burden shifting
It is very sad that Gauteng citizens still carry the financial burden. This occurs despite earlier promises from the Gauteng Premier. The Premier initially promised reimbursement. However, this was later withdrawn.
Gauteng citizens will still pay off the Gauteng e-toll portion of the debt. This outcome means compliant citizens effectively “pay a second time” through other levies and taxes.
We were clear at the outset of e-tolls. We supported the system under strict conditions, and universal compliance from all road users was required. Enforcement against non-payers was also required. The system failed to meet these expectations. It became another example of U-turns and detours in implementation.
Our members complied with the law. Many citizens also complied fully. We proposed alternatives before the first e-toll gantry began operating. Decision-makers ignored these proposals. These outcomes continue to reflect governance of U-turns and detours in transport planning.
Are the U-turns and detours seen over recent years an indication of future decisions? These concerns apply to road development and maintenance. They also apply to rail and port operations. They extend to the broader logistics network. One hopes this pattern does not continue.
Legal uncertainty and policy closure
At least the uncertainty of looming legal action has now ended. This marks a clear turning point. Some may call this outcome a victory for e-toll opponents. However, it may also represent a sobering moment. It highlights the temporary nature of policy built on populist foundations.
Now attention turns to the halt of anything related to an Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) nature.
