RISE Mzansi wants Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to “switch off” e-toll gantries by March 31, warning that the party will call for his resignation if he fails to do so.

The party also wants all correspondence between the Gauteng provincial government and the National Treasury regarding e-tolls to be released to the public within seven days.

“Should you fail to do so, it will only reinforce your reluctance to be transparent with the people of Gauteng,” said RISE Mzansi Gauteng Premier candidate Vuyiswa Ramokgopa.

She said in a letter addressed to Lesufi that Gauteng residents had been strung along by promises that had amounted to nothing but empty rhetoric.

She said under Lesufi’s “poor leadership” the “government that cares" had repeatedly failed the people of Gauteng.

“Twice in a row, in your State of the Province Address, you fed residents lies about your intention to scrap the burdensome e-tolling system. Yet, year after year, Gauteng residents are left grappling with the same expensive and unwanted scheme,” she explained.

Ramokgopa said Lesufi’s government had “mastered the art of giving false hope”, by presenting e-tolls as a solution for road infrastructure development while ignoring the decay of roads.

“The hypocrisy of your government knows no bounds. Despite the hollow promises made by you, the National Treasury has repeatedly refuted claims that you have met the requirements for scrapping e-tolls. This unsettling misalignment between Provincial and National structures is indicative of dishonest government. A government that knowingly lies to its residents, all in order to win votes,” Ramokgopa said.

She added that residents demand transparency and accountability, calling on Lesufi to be held accountable for his “deceitful tactics”.

“It is time for the truth to be exposed and for the people of Gauteng to see through the facade of your government,” she said.