Modise’s comments will add to the widespread confusion that already exists over the scrapping of e-tolls on the GFIP.
Lesufi said in his Sopa last week that the formal process to switch off and delink e-tolls on the GFIP will begin on 31 March 2024.Mampho Modise, deputy director-general of public finance at National Treasury, confirmed this in an interview with Moneyweb last week, saying that the treasury had to look at the existing e-toll debt, and “Gauteng has agreed that that debt should and will be collected”.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said in his State of the Province Address last week that the formal process to switch off and delink e-tolls on the GFIP will begin on 31 March 2024.
The possibility of a refund surfaced when 702 Eyewitness News reported in January 2023 that Lesufi had confirmed that almost R6.9 billion would be refunded to motorists who had been paying for e-tolls on the GFIP. The total amount to be paid by the provincial government is R12.9 billion, 30% of Sanral’s R43 billion debt.Godongwana said Gauteng would also cover the costs of maintaining the 201km and associated interchanges of the GFIP roads, while any additional investment in the roads would be funded through either the existing electronic toll infrastructure or new toll plazas or any other revenue source within their area of responsibility.