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AfriForum has undertaken to give full legal assistance to the first motorist who approaches the organisation if they are sued for historical arrears that flows from the non-payment of e-toll fees. This follows after Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister of Transport, yesterday (10 April) said that the government has not yet made a decision regarding Gauteng motorists’ historical arrears in particular.

AfriForum also pointed out that the government cannot hold all historical debts against motorists as debts expire after three years. Thus, no one can be held responsible for debts from more than three years ago.

In the past, AfriForum’s legal team has already helped several motorists and companies to oppose summonses they have received from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

The civil rights organisation has been fighting against the e-toll system since it was first introduced in 2013 by SANRAL. After eleven years, this system will finally be switched off tonight (11 April) at midnight. AfriForum has participated in the public consultation process on e-toll from the outset and described it as an ill-conceived project all-along. AfriForum is pleased to see this ill-conceived project finally defeated thanks to public pressure.

The termination of e-toll is a big achievement for civil society, as well as for the companies and motorists affected thereby. AfriForum began its petition against e-toll in 2012 long before the e-toll system was implemented. The organisation made its voice heard from the first inadequate public participation process despite what the government is now conceding. 

AfriForum’s objections were, among other things, the labour-intensive nature of e-toll which required a huge infrastructure and costs to levy the toll and handle payments, compared to, for example, a charge as part of the fuel price which would not require any new infrastructure.

According to Charné Mostert, Campaign Officer for AfriForum, this system was thought up and put in place by a corrupt ANC government forcing thousands of motorists to fork out more money for something they cannot afford and that will not benefit them. “The failure of the e-toll system serves as a testament to mass public non-compliance in a system that does not serve the people. Every time motorists will drive past these expensive white elephants, they will be reminded of a system forced onto the public with no benefits, which was eventually defeated by that same public putting its foot down.”

Issued by AfriForum