Govt to oppose new e-toll challenge

"OUTA has a right, like any other citizens to go to court and engage any decisions of the government but we will challenge this because we believe we are right," Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane told reporters in Cape Town on Thursday, 13 June 2013. He was speaking after last week's Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday.

In December, the North Gauteng High Court dismissed OUTA's application to scrap e-tolling.

The court granted Outa leave on January 25 to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The appeal is expected to be heard on September 25 and 26.

"Cabinet encourages motorists in Gauteng to register for e-tags and to view this project as part of the country's drive to build public infrastructure," Chabane said.

Last week, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe met with religious leaders to discuss their concerns that the e-tolling system will impact on the poor and that government was insensitive to the needs of the poor.

Chabane said: "Cabinet re-iterates that government has exempted registered public transport from the toll tariffs on the Gauteng toll roads. Also, to address the concerns of the other motorist, government has reduced the tariffs and introduced new capped amounts for all categories of vehicles".

The Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill has been passed by the National Council of Provinces. The Bill amends the SA National Roads Agency Act, and, once signed into law by President Zuma, will allow Transport Minister to make regulations regarding e-tolling.