Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has accused the national government of delaying the process of scrapping e-tolls in the province. Speaking at an SA Auto Week conference, Lesufi reiterated his commitment to ending e-tolls in Gauteng but expressed frustration with the delay in signing off on the decision.
Lesufi had previously stated in November 2022 that the Gauteng government would refund motorists who had diligently paid their e-toll accounts, but he later backtracked on this statement.
The negotiations between the Gauteng Provincial Government, the National Treasury, and the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) are said to be in the final stages.
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In October 2022, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced in his Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) speech that the Gauteng government had agreed to contribute 30% towards settling Sanral’s Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) debt and interest obligations.
The national government would cover the remaining 70%. The total amount to be paid by the provincial government is R12.9 billion, which is 30% of Sanral’s R43 billion debt. The funding will be sourced from different revenue streams using a hybrid model.
Lesufi stated that the Gauteng government initially had five points of difference with the National Treasury, and only one point remains unresolved.
Despite the delay, Lesufi remains confident that e-tolls in Gauteng will soon be a thing of the past. He assured the public that the remaining tasks are being finalized, and the details will be shared in due course.
The province is taking a bold step to tackle crime and ensure the safety of its citizens. Lesufi recently announced a plan to overhaul the entire car registration regime in the province.
He emphasized the need for innovative ways to prevent car hijackings and ensure proper registration processes. He called upon the automotive sector to collaborate and come up with solutions to address the high crime rate in Gauteng.
In his address, Lesufi highlighted the alarming statistic that 98% of all violent crimes in the province involve a motor vehicle. These vehicles are either stolen or hijacked, often with tampered registration numbers or vehicle identification numbers (VINs).
To combat this issue, Lesufi stressed the urgency to change and improve the compromised car registration system. He urged the sector to review existing strategies and programs to put an end to this madness and make Gauteng a safer province.
The Gauteng government has already taken significant steps to enhance safety and security. The Department of Community Safety’s budget has been increased from R850 million to R2.7 billion, with plans to reach R8 billion within the next three years.
Lesufi also revealed that CCTV security cameras have been installed in strategic areas throughout the province. Additionally, every citizen will have access to an e-panic button, a mobile app designed to provide immediate assistance during emergencies.
Addressing the issue of load shedding, the provincial government has invested in resources to minimize its impact. Lesufi expressed confidence that by January 2024, the province will have significantly reduced the effects of load shedding and energy shortages.
To achieve this, Johannesburg City Power has been appointed as an implementing agency, working alongside a dedicated war room consisting of the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, City Power, and local authorities.
The provincial government has allocated nearly R1.5 billion to rehabilitate energy generation stations and centers that were abandoned, vandalized, or rendered obsolete.
Water shortage concerns in Gauteng are also being addressed. Lesufi confirmed that discussions with the Minister of Water and Sanitation have been fruitful, and solutions are in the pipeline.
The goal is to ensure that water scarcity does not become another Eskom, referring to the challenges faced by the national power utility. The Gauteng province is committed to fighting crime, corruption, and lawlessness to maintain its status as the economic hub of the country.
Through technological advancements, collaboration with the automotive sector, and strategic investments, Gauteng aims to create a safer and more secure environment for its residents.
