The Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM) owes a staggering R1.8-million in outstanding e-toll fees.
This was stated by MP Manny de Freitas, the DA’s Shadow Minister of Transport.
He said second is the City of Tshwane, owing R351 644 and third was the Emfuleni Local Municipality, which owes R127 685.
MP De Freitas said in a statement issued on Wednesday, “It is pure hypocrisy that government calls on citizens and businesses to buy e-tags and pay e-tolls, when government itself refuses to pay.”
He obtained the figures in an answer to a DA parliamentary question about how much Gauteng municipalities owed Sanral.
“The government is being blatantly unfair by expecting citizens to do something they aren’t prepared to. The DA has long held that e-tolls are double taxation and that the e-toll scheme is a job killing scheme.
“The people of Gauteng have spoken loud and clear in their rejection of e-tolls and their voices have been largely ignored. Now, even ANC-governed municipalities have rejected e-tolls and refuse to pay them,” said MP De Freitas.
“Not only are some municipalities not paying their e-toll bills, but some have not even signed up for e-tags.
The Minister of Transport confirmed there were municipalities with outstanding invoices.
“However, since it is an outstanding invoice, it may still be in the process of being paid by the particular municipality and payment thereof is awaited. As the honourable member is aware, the new e-toll dispensation makes provision for all debtors to qualify for a 60 percent discount. Thus, these amounts will be reduced by 60 percent,” said the Minister.
Ekurhuleni has two accounts with Sanral, owing R1 796 445 and R41 938.38 respectively.
“Search criteria used to pick up vehicles with e-tags could not find any Ekurhuleni vehicle registered on the system,” said the Minister.
