CT learns valuable lessons from e-tolling saga

The Gauteng e-tolling saga has provided a learning curve for other municipalities across the country, according to Brett Heron, Cape Town mayoral committee member for transport. “The one lesson we can all take from e-tolling the GFIP is that there must be engagement with government on what they are doing. We need to be alert to the decisions taken and how these will impact our lives,” he said. “In Cape Town we have realised that and have taken steps to fight what government, and more particularly the South African National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral), want to do. Another important lesson for local governments and city residents alike is to pay attention to what is happening and to act timeously on that.” Herron said thanks to these lessons learnt Cape Town officials had kept an eye on Sanral’s tolling intentions and therefore had managed to go to court before any tolling project had even kicked off. “Our challenge in the Western Cape is very different from what happened in Gauteng. Firstly our roads have not been constructed,” he said. “The judge in the Gauteng e-tolling case clearly stated that the decision to decline the appeal was not based on the merits of the case but because it was merely too late. The roads had been constructed, the money spent and the debt incurred. In Cape Town we don’t have that same barrier to overcome.” He said while it was not a simple slamdunk case for the City, there was the opportunity to present a case to the courts that could prevent tolling in the province. INSERT & CAPTION We need to be alert to the decisions taken and how these will impact our lives. – Brett Heron