No refunds for motorists who paid e-toll fees, says Gauteng govt
The provincial government held a media briefing on Monday, to announce it made the first instalment towards settling its multibillion rand e-toll debt to the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL).
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile (left) and Gauteng Treasury HOD Ncumisa Mnyani (right) during a media briefing on e-tolls on 30 September 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Gauteng government says there won't be any refunds for motorists who had paid their e-toll fees.
In addition, it said those who owe e-toll fees are still expected to settle them.
The provincial government held a media briefing on Monday, to announce it made the first instalment towards settling its multibillion rand e-toll debt to the SA National Roads Agency (SANRAL).
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The electronic tolling system was officially set up on Gauteng roads in 2013.
While the government has never revealed how many people were paying for e-tolls, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse has estimated the figure to be around 10% of motorists.
Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile said the provincial government thanks the few law-abiding citizens who kept their end of the deal. However, they won't be reimbursed.
“It was the law of the country and the fact that people decided to not adhere to that law of the country by not paying for whatever reason – it was not illegal to pay for e-tolls.”
Maile said until the SANRAL has a change of heart, motorists' historical debt for e-tolls will remain.