E-tolls are unfortunately still a thing. In 2023. Yup, the entire scheme was meant to shut down before the clock struck twelve on 31 December 2022. That… didn’t happen. The Gauteng Premier’s office released a statement confirming the delay of e-tolls’ demise. We can’t be exactly sure when they’re going away, but until then, Sanral can continue collecting bills. But there is perhaps some good news attached.
Recently, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said that people who have paid their e-tolls bills will have their money refunded. Speaking to 702 yesterday, Lesufi claimed that the e-toll shutdown delay was due to this decision slowing the process down. Eventually, however, it was decided that Gauteng motorists should be repaid.
How much?
“It’s clear we have to refund people. We will refund people who have paid. The outstanding debate is the manner in which they will be refunded,” the premier said.
And then there’s the question of “how much?”. Judging by the current compliance rate – which sits at 17% – the total amount owed equals somewhere close to R6.9 billion. That’s on top of the entire project’s debt, which is nearly R43 billion overall.
Read More: Surprise surprise: e-tolls shutdown delayed into 2023
And lastly, how will the people (not us) be repaid? One option is a complete cash refund which would probably be difficult to afford. Another option is a credit system, which would allow the government to pay off its refunds extremely slowly.
Gauteng drivers that are owed a refund would be able to completely skip physical tolls, paying off the credit that way. That would be fair if physical tolls were as commonplace as e-tolls are around Gauteng. Most Gauteng residents barely ever cross physical tolls. Perhaps they could be exempt from fines and license fees for a while?
Don’t get too excited about a possible windfall yet. Nothing has been officially decided beyond determining that Gauteng drivers will be repaid. “We hope it is done within the next 14 days, before the state of the province address,” Lesufi said.
Source: BusinessTech