General: Final decision on e-tolls in February budget – Mbalula

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said that a final decision on the future of e-tolls will be announced in the budget speech in February. This follows reports suggesting that the Cabinet had decided to do away with the e-tolls project. A Business Day report notes that in a statement, Mbalula said there were still several factors to consider before the matter was finalized. ‘The matter of e-tolls is receiving priority by Cabinet and will be finalized soon. The final determination is about how best to carry the cost burden of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project while maintaining these roads in a pristine condition. We agreed with the Minister of Finance that the announcement of the final decision will be made during the budget speech in February 2022,’ Mbalula said. In Sanral’s most recent annual report tabled in Parliament in October, AG Tsakani Maluleke warned that Sanral could face difficulties unless the e-tolls issue was resolved.