The Gauteng provincial government (GPG) has approached financial institutions to raise money required to honour its contractual obligations ahead of the March 31, 2024, target date to scrap the tolling of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo on Tuesday reiterated the province’s commitment to resolve the issue of e-tolls “once and for all”.

“As part of the winding down process, statutory authorities at national level, National Treasury, the Department of Transport and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will carry out all the necessary steps to cease the collection of e-tolls and gazette accordingly,” he outlined.

Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for the use of the Gauteng freeways 14 days after the publishing of the deregulation gazette.

Various processes will be in place leading up to the date, including turning the tag beeps off and stopping invoices to road users; however, the gantry lights and cameras will remain on for other law enforcement purposes.

Road users will also be able to continue to use their e-tags at all other toll plazas across South Africa.

“Further details on this process will be communicated to all road users in due course,” Mamabolo assured.

Tabling the provincial budget for Gauteng for the 2024/25 financial year, he said that the GPG accepted its 30% debt contribution to settle Sanral’s debt and interest obligations, with national government covering the 70% balance.

“Provision for honouring this commitment is part of the fiscal framework that we are presenting today. This is part of the province’s arrangements to service the debt,” he said, noting, however, that the GPG believes that all other matters relating to road maintenance need to be concluded through a separate process.

Sanral confirmed to the GPG during previous engagements a R4.1-billion e-tolls maintenance backlog, with funding required over a period of four years.