Gauteng residents able to speak out over e-tolls

Gauteng Premier David Makhura says that he is seeking an evidence report based on the socio-economic impact of e-tolls on Gauteng residents. Image: Tru Legal Media

The panel has extended its consultations with organised bodies, following two weeks of consultations with labour, business and other organisations or interested parties.

According to the Premier's Office additional meetings with organised business are set to start next week in the IEC Hall in Randfontein, and will run concurrently with the public meetings.

"The [10-member] advisory panel was set up by Gauteng Premier David Makhura in July this year to conduct a socio-economic impact assessment of e-tolls, and will submit its report by the end of November," the Premier's Office said.

Makhura emphasised that government will not pre-empt the outcomes of the panel, but will await its five-month consultation process to be completed.

"Our decision to establish this panel was based on our conviction that the people's voices must be heard on matters that affect our province," Makhura said.

He said the outcomes of the assessment will be based on the actual impact and experience, not theory.

"This will be an evidence-based report," he added.