Since the start of 2019, disgruntled motorists have been anxiously waiting for e-tolls to finally collapse. However, talks around disassembling this system have been regularly pushed back over the course of this year. Earlier this month, talks about scrapping the e-toll system altogether were pushed back yet again to allow for more consultations between Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula and civil society groups like AA and OUTA. After 7 years of objections and excuses, let’s look back at how e-tolls began and where this system might be headed.

How Did We Get Here?

In 2011, SANRAL, South Africa’s roads agency, announced they would implement tolling on the newly constructed gantries along Gauteng’s major freeways as part of the agency’s freeway improvement project (GFIP). SANRAL was able to raise the upfront capital to build the system’s infrastructure without drawing on fuel levies or taxes. Phase one of the GFIP led to a tremendous decrease in traffic congestion following construction. Coincidentally, this was the first time in decades that Cape Town became the most congested city in SA. However, the response from motorists, unions, and civil bodies was less than enthusiastic, to put it politely. The vehement public outcry against the proposed e-tolls forced then Transport Minister Ndebele to suspend its implementation and call in cabinet to discuss a reduction in costs and a renewed public consultation process. Despite calls from a number of sectors, then Finance Minister Gordhan announced in 2012 that the implementation of e-tolls would go forward, albeit at a reduced rate. From the start, SANRAL warned motorists that they should expect higher bills if they failed to pay for the use of the gantries. However, minibus taxis and buses were exempt from paying e-tolls. Private vehicles and trucks would still have to submit to this fledgling system.

Responses To E-Tolls

Apart from the large segment of South African road users, the most vocal opponent to the e-tolls system over the years has been the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA). Initially, this civil society group applied for an interdict against the implementation of e-tolls. OUTA has also contested this issue at the Constitutional Court and appealed at the Supreme Court of Appeal. However, their efforts to have e-tolls scrapped fell short; tolling was announced to go live on 3 December 2013. In 2018, low compliance rates finally forced a political hand. The ANC in Gauteng became vocal about opposing the system and began to lobby the Department of Transport and the President to do away with e-tolls for good.

So, What Is The State Of E-Tolls In 2019?

Earlier this year, SANRAL, threatened to blacklist motorists, who ignored the summons to pay their e-toll accounts. However, SANRAL later announced that this course of action would be suspended. You can’t blame them for trying. These days, things are looking pretty dire as SANRAL is calling for close to R11 billion in unpaid e-toll fees. In 2018, the roads authority allegedly recorded compliance rates as low as 25% as motorists continued to reject this system. Civil action group, Outa, says that SANRAL should cut its losses and scrap e-tolls completely, while AA calls for the indefinite suspension of e-tolls and the reimbursement of e-toll payments that have been made by road users. So, far suggestions around e-tolls (aside from completely doing away with the tolls) have included:

• Drivers only pay 10c per gantry.
• E-tolling stays, but at reduced fees.
• Electronic Tolling Company (ETC) will wipe users’ existing e-toll debt, if they pay their e-toll fees going forward.

For the time being, Transport Minister Mbalula has stated that they are postponing the deadline by a few (more) weeks to allow for further consultations.   Despite the progress being made this year, it’s unlikely that this business will come to an end anytime soon. Should e-tolls be done away with permanently, those who have been faithfully paying their e-toll bills may not be refunded. Many consider this a fitting end to a poorly thought-out legislative process. After all, this system has been plagued by poor administration, ungainly systems, ineffective enforcement, and an outraged citizenry. Since public opinion has played such a big role in this debate so far, there’s no point in going quiet now. Where do you think the e-toll system is headed? Let us know on social media.