The KwaDukuza mayor in KwaZulu-Natal, Lindile Nhaca, has rejected the South African National Roads Agency’s (Sanral) decision to reinstate toll fees at Umvoti on the N2, saying it could compromise the integrity of alternative routes. Fees were suspended in April 2022 to assist communities affected by the closure of alternative roads after devastating floods in the area.

Sanral announced earlier in January that toll fees at the Uthongathi and Umvoti toll plazas will be payable from February 1.

A council meeting yesterday revealed that the mayor had taken steps to dislodge Sanral’s decision to reinstate toll fees, a move Nhaca dubbed hasty.

Nhaca says she has written to Sanral, requesting they consider waiving toll fees at the Umvoti Toll Plaza until the R102 and R103 have been fully repaired.  She is of the opinion the reintroduction of toll fees could put unnecessary pressure on provincial roads, yet to be repaired by the Department of Transport.

Part of Nhaca’s letter, in which she outlines challenges that could lead to the disruption of the economy, reads:

“While we appreciate the significant progress achieved on the M4 in easing the congestion that was experienced in the aftermath of the floods, we equally wish to extend our heartfelt concern on your hasty consideration to reinstate the payment of toll fees at Umvoti Toll Plaza in the knowledge that the alternative route (R102) linking KwaDukuza and eThekwini has not yet been fully restored.”

In her letter, Nhaca says the waiving of toll fees will be in the interest of promoting business and service delivery.

The M4 at uThongathi bridge is yet to be repaired however, municipal spokesperson Sipho Mkhize says they cannot challenge toll fees at the Tongaat Toll Plaza because it falls outside of KwaDukuza’s jurisdiction.