LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Yep, they already announced that.
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[May 2013..Dec 2013] The Gauteng E-tolling Thread
- Status
Yep, they already announced that.
InvisibleJim
Expert Member
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Dude, I can guarantee you that you have already been paying for the tolls through your fuel levy.
They just haven't announced it publicly yet.
I take it for granted that the fuel levy is spent on all sorts of good stuff, some of which may actually be related to maintenance of the roads.
Albereth
Honorary Master
Johnny Walker? Road maintenance?
Seriously
Honorary Master
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The only time i am in love with the Unions. I hope they will proceed.
grok
Honorary Master
Great news, we're all ready for civil disobedience as a result of e-tolls but they're so incompetent they just did it to themselves!
Anyone still convinced the country is not falling apart?
Anyone still convinced the country is not falling apart?
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Transport Department Taken aback by Church stance on E-tolls
The department was responding to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference's (SACBC) justice and peace department, which revealed that it supported Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) in its case against e-tolling, to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in September.
In a statement, spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the transport department was taken aback by the proclamation.
“While we are taken aback by the SACBC position, the department remains committed to meeting with stakeholders, including the religious community, to clarify its intentions regarding the introduction of e-tolling in Gauteng,” he said.
“Government, through the inter-ministerial committee, consulted with various stakeholders including the National Inter-Faith Leaders Council, South African Council of Churches, Cosatu, Road Freight Association and the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which also made representations in Parliament.”
During the consultations, government committed to consider the views of the religious fraternity and other stakeholders when finalising regulations on the classes of motor vehicles that would be exempt from paying e-tolls.
“The second part of the regulations will deal with the tariff structure, which will show a significant reduction from the initially proposed tariffs,” Rikhotso said.
Moral issues
Outstanding issues on the e-tolls would be dealt with after the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill was passed.
“It is therefore incorrect to suggest that the department has neglected the socio-economic implications of e-tolling on the poor and the working class,” said Rikhotso.
The SACBC said it felt compelled to highlight the key moral issues underpinning e-tolling.
"Government has a mandate to govern, by virtue of having won an election. Does this mean that they are unaccountable until the next election?" it asked.
"Clearly not. Transparent public consultations on controversial issues are bound to be held and taken into account. We fear that this has not been adequately done in this case."
Outa applauded the Catholic Church's stance against the e-tolling of Gauteng highways on Tuesday.
Two month deadline
"We are extremely pleased that an entity of such stature and magnitude as the Catholic Church has come out to defend the country's citizens against a questionable decision and action by the state," Outa chairperson Wayne Duvenage said.
"This denouncement of e-tolling by the church was clearly conducted after significant research and an introspective assessment of the pros and cons of e-tolling."
In April, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
In April last year, the high court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be put into effect.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a review. Sanral and the national treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December, the high court in Pretoria dismissed Outa's application to scrap e-tolling. The court granted Outa leave on January 25 to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. – Sapa
Source: SAPA
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-22-department-taken-aback-by-church-stance-on-e-tolls
The department was responding to the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference's (SACBC) justice and peace department, which revealed that it supported Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) in its case against e-tolling, to be heard by the Supreme Court of Appeal in September.
In a statement, spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso said the transport department was taken aback by the proclamation.
“While we are taken aback by the SACBC position, the department remains committed to meeting with stakeholders, including the religious community, to clarify its intentions regarding the introduction of e-tolling in Gauteng,” he said.
“Government, through the inter-ministerial committee, consulted with various stakeholders including the National Inter-Faith Leaders Council, South African Council of Churches, Cosatu, Road Freight Association and the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, which also made representations in Parliament.”
During the consultations, government committed to consider the views of the religious fraternity and other stakeholders when finalising regulations on the classes of motor vehicles that would be exempt from paying e-tolls.
“The second part of the regulations will deal with the tariff structure, which will show a significant reduction from the initially proposed tariffs,” Rikhotso said.
Moral issues
Outstanding issues on the e-tolls would be dealt with after the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill was passed.
“It is therefore incorrect to suggest that the department has neglected the socio-economic implications of e-tolling on the poor and the working class,” said Rikhotso.
The SACBC said it felt compelled to highlight the key moral issues underpinning e-tolling.
"Government has a mandate to govern, by virtue of having won an election. Does this mean that they are unaccountable until the next election?" it asked.
"Clearly not. Transparent public consultations on controversial issues are bound to be held and taken into account. We fear that this has not been adequately done in this case."
Outa applauded the Catholic Church's stance against the e-tolling of Gauteng highways on Tuesday.
Two month deadline
"We are extremely pleased that an entity of such stature and magnitude as the Catholic Church has come out to defend the country's citizens against a questionable decision and action by the state," Outa chairperson Wayne Duvenage said.
"This denouncement of e-tolling by the church was clearly conducted after significant research and an introspective assessment of the pros and cons of e-tolling."
In April, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said it would begin e-tolling on Gauteng roads within two months.
In April last year, the high court in Pretoria granted Outa an interdict approving a full judicial review before electronic tolling could be put into effect.
The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of a review. Sanral and the national treasury appealed the court order.
In September, the Constitutional Court set aside the interim order. In December, the high court in Pretoria dismissed Outa's application to scrap e-tolling. The court granted Outa leave on January 25 to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. – Sapa
Source: SAPA
http://mg.co.za/article/2013-05-22-department-taken-aback-by-church-stance-on-e-tolls
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
E-tolls needed for Infrastructure: Martins
E-tolling is needed to pay for and maintain infrastructure critical to South Africa's future economic growth, Transport Minister Ben Martins has told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
"The South African economy requires infrastructure to develop and grow, create jobs and to fight the scourge of unemployment and inequality," Martins said in a speech to the NCOP in Cape Town on Wednesday.
He was speaking during the debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which is necessary before e-tolling can take place in Gauteng or anywhere else.
Martins said if the growing budget deficit was allowed to increase it would be detrimental to the South African economy.
"This reality makes it necessary to find additional sources of funding to assist the fiscus to meet the various demands made on it so that social expenditure can be maintained, and infrastructure projects implemented," he said.
Infrastructure projects had to be funded through selectively charging road users.
Funding e-tolls through a user charge, had enable the upgrading of 201 kilometres of road in Gauteng which would otherwise would have taken 12 years to fund, he said.
"The National Treasury therefore still makes available funding for the bulk of roads in South Africa, and tolling is used selectively to provide high standard infrastructure."
Sanral had issued R20 billion in bonds to fund the project, plus capitalised interest of around R3.4 billion which needed to be paid for from e-toll revenue.
The NCOP adopted the bill against objections by opposition parties, the Business Day reported on Thursday.
Source : Sapa /aw/tk/clh
Date : 23 May 2013 08:22
E-tolling is needed to pay for and maintain infrastructure critical to South Africa's future economic growth, Transport Minister Ben Martins has told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP).
"The South African economy requires infrastructure to develop and grow, create jobs and to fight the scourge of unemployment and inequality," Martins said in a speech to the NCOP in Cape Town on Wednesday.
He was speaking during the debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which is necessary before e-tolling can take place in Gauteng or anywhere else.
Martins said if the growing budget deficit was allowed to increase it would be detrimental to the South African economy.
"This reality makes it necessary to find additional sources of funding to assist the fiscus to meet the various demands made on it so that social expenditure can be maintained, and infrastructure projects implemented," he said.
Infrastructure projects had to be funded through selectively charging road users.
Funding e-tolls through a user charge, had enable the upgrading of 201 kilometres of road in Gauteng which would otherwise would have taken 12 years to fund, he said.
"The National Treasury therefore still makes available funding for the bulk of roads in South Africa, and tolling is used selectively to provide high standard infrastructure."
Sanral had issued R20 billion in bonds to fund the project, plus capitalised interest of around R3.4 billion which needed to be paid for from e-toll revenue.
The NCOP adopted the bill against objections by opposition parties, the Business Day reported on Thursday.
Source : Sapa /aw/tk/clh
Date : 23 May 2013 08:22
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
COSATU Protest not authorised
Cosatu's has not been granted permission for a planned protest against e-tolls on Johannesburg highways, metro police said on Thursday.
"Permission has not been granted because with the previous motorcade protest, protesters had stopped on the freeway and walked on the freeway which is a contravention of the National Road Traffic Act," said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, he said.
On Tuesday, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile told reporters in Johannesburg that Cosatu and its partners would embark on a go-slow drive, and a march to bring the province's highways to a standstill.
The first protest would be on the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg on Friday.
In December, the N3 highway was briefly closed when protesting motorists parked their cars sideways and started dancing on the road during a "drive-slow" motorcade.
Police spoke to the protesters and the motorcade began slowly moving again.
However, some people remained on the highway and continued dancing.
A group of impromptu protesters closed the N12 near Soweto when they left their cars to sing and dance beneath a gantry.
The demonstration ended disrupted when police had a tow-truck remove a vehicle parked in front of them.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/clh
Date : 23 May 2013 08:51
Cosatu's has not been granted permission for a planned protest against e-tolls on Johannesburg highways, metro police said on Thursday.
"Permission has not been granted because with the previous motorcade protest, protesters had stopped on the freeway and walked on the freeway which is a contravention of the National Road Traffic Act," said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, he said.
On Tuesday, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile told reporters in Johannesburg that Cosatu and its partners would embark on a go-slow drive, and a march to bring the province's highways to a standstill.
The first protest would be on the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg on Friday.
In December, the N3 highway was briefly closed when protesting motorists parked their cars sideways and started dancing on the road during a "drive-slow" motorcade.
Police spoke to the protesters and the motorcade began slowly moving again.
However, some people remained on the highway and continued dancing.
A group of impromptu protesters closed the N12 near Soweto when they left their cars to sing and dance beneath a gantry.
The demonstration ended disrupted when police had a tow-truck remove a vehicle parked in front of them.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/clh
Date : 23 May 2013 08:51
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
COSATU Contesting Government Decision
Cosatu is opposing government's decision not to allow a planned protest on Johannesburg highways against e-tolls, the union federation said on Thursday.
"We are contesting this decision. We hope we will manage to persuade the government to what we think is a legitimate and constitutional protest with very wide public support," said Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven.
Cosatu planned to stage a series of "drive slow" protests to bring the province's highways to a standstill, starting on Friday, Cosatu Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile told reporters on Wednesday.
The first protest would be on the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) said the protest had not been authorised.
"Permission has not been granted because with the previous motorcade protest, protesters had stopped on the freeway and walked on the freeway, which is a contravention of the National Road Traffic Act," said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
In December, the N3 highway was briefly closed when protesting motorists parked their cars sideways and started dancing on the road during a "drive-slow" motorcade.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, Minnaar said.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/jk/dd
Date : 23 May 2013 10:23
Cosatu is opposing government's decision not to allow a planned protest on Johannesburg highways against e-tolls, the union federation said on Thursday.
"We are contesting this decision. We hope we will manage to persuade the government to what we think is a legitimate and constitutional protest with very wide public support," said Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven.
Cosatu planned to stage a series of "drive slow" protests to bring the province's highways to a standstill, starting on Friday, Cosatu Gauteng secretary Dumisani Dakile told reporters on Wednesday.
The first protest would be on the M1 north, N1 south, N12, and M2 north highways in Johannesburg.
The Johannesburg Metro Police (JMPD) said the protest had not been authorised.
"Permission has not been granted because with the previous motorcade protest, protesters had stopped on the freeway and walked on the freeway, which is a contravention of the National Road Traffic Act," said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
In December, the N3 highway was briefly closed when protesting motorists parked their cars sideways and started dancing on the road during a "drive-slow" motorcade.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, Minnaar said.
Source : Sapa /mr/tk/jk/dd
Date : 23 May 2013 10:23
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
The Truth that SANRAL does not want you to know
Sanral’s social-wage-needs argument for e-tolling is shameless refusal to acknowledge that the need for funding to help eliminate the country’s road maintenance backlog is the direct result of a decades-long failure, by government and the South African National Roads Agency Limited, to adequately invest in such maintenance. Government must also shoulder the blame for the inefficient and ineffective use of available funds. The only way out of this mess is a road maintenance fund sourced primarily from the fuel levy.
In the latest instalment of reasons to legitimise the need for additional tolling and e-tolling on South Africa’s roads, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has referred to the increase in the social wage needs of South Africa as to why extra funds for road infrastructure and maintenance are required and why the argument for a dedicated fuel levy is insufficient.
This follows previous advertising campaigns in major newspapers citing two “simple reasons” why a fuel levy would prove ineffective. Sanral’s basic argument refers to cars becoming more fuel efficient, traveling further on less fuel, rendering the fuel levy ineffective to provide the necessary funding.
Effectively, Sanral does not have the money required to pay for our road maintenance and upgrade. With the extended outcry against the open road Tolling and the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill (e-Toll Bill), the Sunday Times reported on 21 April (“Billions lost through toll roads delay”) that Sanral is losing at least R200 million a month through the delay in the Gauteng e-tolls implementation. E-tolling was to be implemented in June 2011, which means Sanral has lost almost R5 billion.
Clearly Sanral is eager to make its money back.
Sanral wastes no time in reminding the public of the apparent R150 billion roads infrastructure and maintenance backlog and the need for e-tolling as a consequence; but fails to adequately address the question of how a ring-fenced portion of the fuel levy could address the imbalance.
Sanral has argued that a fuel levy to fund road infrastructure and maintenance is insufficient, and that e-tolling is therefore necessary. However, two independent studies confirm that the fuel levy provides enough funding for the construction and maintenance of our roads and that there is no need for the wholesale construction of toll roads.
Equally important to how the country needs to fund our road projects going forward, has to be to look at how available funding has been utilised in the past.
Two independent studies, by the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) and the Southern African Bitumen Association (Sabita), confirm that Sanral is misleading the public with regards to available funding.
The AA study, conducted in 2008, reveals that abolishing the dedicated fuel levy in 1988 resulted in significantly less spending on road infrastructure and maintenance which, in turn, resulted in the deterioration of the quality of our roads. It shows that an ideal maintenance budget for roads should have totalled R32 billion in 2008.
The Sabita study indicates that government only spent an average of R7.4 billion a year on road construction and maintenance between 2003 and 2008. The 2013 Budget Review indicates income from the fuel levy for the same period averaged more than R21 billion. What must be asked is why the nearly R14 billion on average, was not spend on road maintenance in the first place.
This same question must be asked this year. The fuel levy is estimated to bring in R41.7 billion in the 2013/14 financial year. From the graph, compiled from information in the reports and the budget review, it is evident that the bulk of fuel levy funds between 2003 and 2008 have been used elsewhere and not for road maintenance projects.
A similar trend occurred in the previous decade.
It is therefore clear that both government and Sanral are guilty of consistent underinvestment to the detriment of every South African, as we are all reliant on a functioning and well maintained road network for personal travel, work commutes, and the transport of essential goods such as fresh produce.
On top of the apparent underinvestment, government can also be blamed for the inefficient and ineffective use of available funding. An increasing social wage does exist. However, bailout upon bailout of major state-owned enterprises such as SAA and SA Express; expensive public infrastructure investment such as the Gautrain; as well as the ever increasing public expenditure on private homes, excessive cars, houses, credit card bills, car hire, luxury hotel stays and a general disregard for wasteful expenditure by government is depleting the available fiscus at a much more dramatic rate.
There is a need for funding to help eliminate the country’s road maintenance backlog but the DA has constantly opposed the wholesale erection of toll roads as the solution. A dedicated, road maintenance fund – sourced primarily from the fuel levy – would ensure regular supply of funds to address the road maintenance backlog and eliminate the need for excessive tolls to fund road maintenance.
Sanral and the government cannot expect South Africans to pay yet again for their inefficient and ineffective use of available funding. They must stop misleading the public and be honest about the resources that are available to them. DM
Source: http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opin...anral-does-not-want-you-to-know/#.UZ3Wwpzpx8F
Sanral’s social-wage-needs argument for e-tolling is shameless refusal to acknowledge that the need for funding to help eliminate the country’s road maintenance backlog is the direct result of a decades-long failure, by government and the South African National Roads Agency Limited, to adequately invest in such maintenance. Government must also shoulder the blame for the inefficient and ineffective use of available funds. The only way out of this mess is a road maintenance fund sourced primarily from the fuel levy.
In the latest instalment of reasons to legitimise the need for additional tolling and e-tolling on South Africa’s roads, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has referred to the increase in the social wage needs of South Africa as to why extra funds for road infrastructure and maintenance are required and why the argument for a dedicated fuel levy is insufficient.
This follows previous advertising campaigns in major newspapers citing two “simple reasons” why a fuel levy would prove ineffective. Sanral’s basic argument refers to cars becoming more fuel efficient, traveling further on less fuel, rendering the fuel levy ineffective to provide the necessary funding.
Effectively, Sanral does not have the money required to pay for our road maintenance and upgrade. With the extended outcry against the open road Tolling and the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill (e-Toll Bill), the Sunday Times reported on 21 April (“Billions lost through toll roads delay”) that Sanral is losing at least R200 million a month through the delay in the Gauteng e-tolls implementation. E-tolling was to be implemented in June 2011, which means Sanral has lost almost R5 billion.
Clearly Sanral is eager to make its money back.
Sanral wastes no time in reminding the public of the apparent R150 billion roads infrastructure and maintenance backlog and the need for e-tolling as a consequence; but fails to adequately address the question of how a ring-fenced portion of the fuel levy could address the imbalance.
Sanral has argued that a fuel levy to fund road infrastructure and maintenance is insufficient, and that e-tolling is therefore necessary. However, two independent studies confirm that the fuel levy provides enough funding for the construction and maintenance of our roads and that there is no need for the wholesale construction of toll roads.
Equally important to how the country needs to fund our road projects going forward, has to be to look at how available funding has been utilised in the past.
Two independent studies, by the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) and the Southern African Bitumen Association (Sabita), confirm that Sanral is misleading the public with regards to available funding.
The AA study, conducted in 2008, reveals that abolishing the dedicated fuel levy in 1988 resulted in significantly less spending on road infrastructure and maintenance which, in turn, resulted in the deterioration of the quality of our roads. It shows that an ideal maintenance budget for roads should have totalled R32 billion in 2008.
The Sabita study indicates that government only spent an average of R7.4 billion a year on road construction and maintenance between 2003 and 2008. The 2013 Budget Review indicates income from the fuel levy for the same period averaged more than R21 billion. What must be asked is why the nearly R14 billion on average, was not spend on road maintenance in the first place.
This same question must be asked this year. The fuel levy is estimated to bring in R41.7 billion in the 2013/14 financial year. From the graph, compiled from information in the reports and the budget review, it is evident that the bulk of fuel levy funds between 2003 and 2008 have been used elsewhere and not for road maintenance projects.
A similar trend occurred in the previous decade.
It is therefore clear that both government and Sanral are guilty of consistent underinvestment to the detriment of every South African, as we are all reliant on a functioning and well maintained road network for personal travel, work commutes, and the transport of essential goods such as fresh produce.
On top of the apparent underinvestment, government can also be blamed for the inefficient and ineffective use of available funding. An increasing social wage does exist. However, bailout upon bailout of major state-owned enterprises such as SAA and SA Express; expensive public infrastructure investment such as the Gautrain; as well as the ever increasing public expenditure on private homes, excessive cars, houses, credit card bills, car hire, luxury hotel stays and a general disregard for wasteful expenditure by government is depleting the available fiscus at a much more dramatic rate.
There is a need for funding to help eliminate the country’s road maintenance backlog but the DA has constantly opposed the wholesale erection of toll roads as the solution. A dedicated, road maintenance fund – sourced primarily from the fuel levy – would ensure regular supply of funds to address the road maintenance backlog and eliminate the need for excessive tolls to fund road maintenance.
Sanral and the government cannot expect South Africans to pay yet again for their inefficient and ineffective use of available funding. They must stop misleading the public and be honest about the resources that are available to them. DM
Source: http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opin...anral-does-not-want-you-to-know/#.UZ3Wwpzpx8F
TelkomUseless
Honorary Master
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2006
- Messages
- 16,570
- Reaction score
- 11,208
I can only hope the ANC's see their **%# with this e-tolls.
This impacts fcking everyone, even if they "don't charge bussess, taxis etc"...
This impacts fcking everyone, even if they "don't charge bussess, taxis etc"...
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
COSATU going ahead with e-toll protests...
http://ewn.co.za/2013/05/23/Cosatu-embarks-on-etoll-protest
http://ewn.co.za/2013/05/23/Cosatu-embarks-on-etoll-protest
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
SANRAL welcomes Bill's passage
Sanral on Thursday welcomed the passage of a bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) critical to the introduction of e-tolls.
"[We] welcome the passing yesterday [Wednesday] of the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill by the [NCOP] which amended the Sanral Act," the SA National Roads Agency Ltd on Thursday.
The passing of the bill allows for Transport Minister Ben Martins to make regulations regarding e-tolling.
"This bill enhances the legislative framework for the implementation of projects with electronic tolling, and will assist in improving the effectiveness of toll operations and enforcement," CEO Nazir Alli said.
The agency said traffic volumes on Gauteng's freeways had been increasing steadily before improvements were made. This had resulted in a 50 percent reduction in travel time between Johannesburg and Pretoria on the N1 during peak hours.
Alli said the improvements showed e-tolls would benefit the economy.
"Users of Gauteng's e-roads have already reaped the rewards of the improvements and will continue to do so. This system will benefit the economy and not hinder it."
The Inkatha Freedom Party said on Thursday it remained opposed to the implementation of e-tolls. It supported the Congress of SA Trade Union-led protests scheduled for Friday in Johannesburg.
The party said it was clear most people were opposed to e-tolls. It accused government of disregarding the financial burden e-tolls would add to the poor and those living in townships.
"Adding to this, the IFP [in Gauteng] believes this will also impinge on other sectors such as agriculture, since it will increase the cost of doing business in Gauteng," caucus leader Bonginkosi Dhlamini said.
Johannesburg metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said Cosatu had not been given permission to protest on the city's highways on Friday.
This was because the previous "drive-slow" protest in December had led to motorists stopping their cars and walking on the highway, in contravention of the National Road Traffic Act.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, Minnaar said.
Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said the trade union federation would contest the decision to not allow the protest to go ahead.
Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/th/dd
Date : 23 May 2013 15:08
Sanral on Thursday welcomed the passage of a bill by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) critical to the introduction of e-tolls.
"[We] welcome the passing yesterday [Wednesday] of the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill by the [NCOP] which amended the Sanral Act," the SA National Roads Agency Ltd on Thursday.
The passing of the bill allows for Transport Minister Ben Martins to make regulations regarding e-tolling.
"This bill enhances the legislative framework for the implementation of projects with electronic tolling, and will assist in improving the effectiveness of toll operations and enforcement," CEO Nazir Alli said.
The agency said traffic volumes on Gauteng's freeways had been increasing steadily before improvements were made. This had resulted in a 50 percent reduction in travel time between Johannesburg and Pretoria on the N1 during peak hours.
Alli said the improvements showed e-tolls would benefit the economy.
"Users of Gauteng's e-roads have already reaped the rewards of the improvements and will continue to do so. This system will benefit the economy and not hinder it."
The Inkatha Freedom Party said on Thursday it remained opposed to the implementation of e-tolls. It supported the Congress of SA Trade Union-led protests scheduled for Friday in Johannesburg.
The party said it was clear most people were opposed to e-tolls. It accused government of disregarding the financial burden e-tolls would add to the poor and those living in townships.
"Adding to this, the IFP [in Gauteng] believes this will also impinge on other sectors such as agriculture, since it will increase the cost of doing business in Gauteng," caucus leader Bonginkosi Dhlamini said.
Johannesburg metro police Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said Cosatu had not been given permission to protest on the city's highways on Friday.
This was because the previous "drive-slow" protest in December had led to motorists stopping their cars and walking on the highway, in contravention of the National Road Traffic Act.
All law enforcement agencies would be on standby to ensure the protest did not go ahead on Friday, Minnaar said.
Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said the trade union federation would contest the decision to not allow the protest to go ahead.
Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/th/dd
Date : 23 May 2013 15:08
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
IFP Statement
IFP-GP FULLY BEHIND THE PROTESTS AGAINST E-TOLLS
IFP in Gauteng (IFP-GP) remains fully opposed to the implementation of the e-tolling system and supports the Treatment Action Plan (TAC) and Cosatu-led protests against the e-tolling system scheduled for Friday May 24 in Johannesburg and May 31 in Ekurhuleni.
The IFP-GP parallel to Cosatu and the TAC has in the past spoken out against the e-tolling system and would like to reaffirm its condemnation of this system that is deliberately imposed on us as Gauteng citizens by this remorseless government. “Is it not clear that people do not want this cruel project to continue? We are enraged by the government™s stubbornness and disregard of the brunt that this system will bring to the already financially stretched people residing in townships or poor urban peripheries, said IFP Caucus Leader in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature; ?onginkosi Dhlamini.
The IFP-GP agrees with the TAC that this e-tolling system will increase the cost of medication, and will also impact on the delivery of treatment to health facilities. Adding to this, the IFP-GP believes this will also impinge on other sectors such as agriculture since it will increase the cost of doing business in Gauteng. This has been proven by the ˜Doing Business in South Africa 2011 Report™, which indicates that conducting business in South Africa is increasingly costly compared to other developing nations.
“The IFP-GP finds it irrational that the taxi transport services have been excluded from e-tolling, but food and freight transport vehicles that service townships and other areas have not been exempted. This will obviously push up food prices and mostly affect poor African and black residents and citizens of Gauteng,” says Dhlamin?.
The IFP-GP is taken aback by the provincial government's ignorance to the fact that a similar system was implemented in Brazil's Sao Paulo State, but failed because people were unable to pay its high costs. "As a party in Gauteng we commit to continue fighting against this ill-thought system and calls on this government to reconsider its decision for wanting to implement this system ?hich is by and large rejected. Instead government should find a transpo?t system that is applicable and revokes Apartheid travelling arrangement of Gauteng," concludes Dhlamini.
Contact: IFP Caucus Leader in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature; Bonginkosi Dhlamini; 071 622 7523
Or.
IFP Media Liaison Officer, Musa Ngobeni; 079 412 9757/011 489 6401
Follow Bonginkosi Dhlamini on Twitter: @BWDhlamini
Source : Ends /PEM
Date : 23 May 2013 15:10
IFP-GP FULLY BEHIND THE PROTESTS AGAINST E-TOLLS
IFP in Gauteng (IFP-GP) remains fully opposed to the implementation of the e-tolling system and supports the Treatment Action Plan (TAC) and Cosatu-led protests against the e-tolling system scheduled for Friday May 24 in Johannesburg and May 31 in Ekurhuleni.
The IFP-GP parallel to Cosatu and the TAC has in the past spoken out against the e-tolling system and would like to reaffirm its condemnation of this system that is deliberately imposed on us as Gauteng citizens by this remorseless government. “Is it not clear that people do not want this cruel project to continue? We are enraged by the government™s stubbornness and disregard of the brunt that this system will bring to the already financially stretched people residing in townships or poor urban peripheries, said IFP Caucus Leader in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature; ?onginkosi Dhlamini.
The IFP-GP agrees with the TAC that this e-tolling system will increase the cost of medication, and will also impact on the delivery of treatment to health facilities. Adding to this, the IFP-GP believes this will also impinge on other sectors such as agriculture since it will increase the cost of doing business in Gauteng. This has been proven by the ˜Doing Business in South Africa 2011 Report™, which indicates that conducting business in South Africa is increasingly costly compared to other developing nations.
“The IFP-GP finds it irrational that the taxi transport services have been excluded from e-tolling, but food and freight transport vehicles that service townships and other areas have not been exempted. This will obviously push up food prices and mostly affect poor African and black residents and citizens of Gauteng,” says Dhlamin?.
The IFP-GP is taken aback by the provincial government's ignorance to the fact that a similar system was implemented in Brazil's Sao Paulo State, but failed because people were unable to pay its high costs. "As a party in Gauteng we commit to continue fighting against this ill-thought system and calls on this government to reconsider its decision for wanting to implement this system ?hich is by and large rejected. Instead government should find a transpo?t system that is applicable and revokes Apartheid travelling arrangement of Gauteng," concludes Dhlamini.
Contact: IFP Caucus Leader in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature; Bonginkosi Dhlamini; 071 622 7523
Or.
IFP Media Liaison Officer, Musa Ngobeni; 079 412 9757/011 489 6401
Follow Bonginkosi Dhlamini on Twitter: @BWDhlamini
Source : Ends /PEM
Date : 23 May 2013 15:10
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
E-tolls edge forward
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has adopted the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill – otherwise known as the E-toll Bill – in what an e-toll opposition group says was a surreptitious ramming through of the controversial law, which amended the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) Act.
The passing of the E-toll bill essentially allows transport minister Ben Martins to make regulations regarding e-tolling. It also enables the collection of tolls and empowers the Cross Border Road Transport Agency to assist Sanral in the collection of tolls at border posts.
Last week the passing of the Bill was postponed “until further notice”. The NCOP’s decision was taken after a debate on the Bill yesterday, during which Martins outlined why the Bill is “essential” to the government raising funds to build and maintain roads.
In his motivation speech, Martins warned the Parliamentary body that failure to collect tolls would have very serious financial implications for both Sanral and the national government at large. “Sanral has issued bonds to fund the project of R20 billion plus capitalised interest amounting to approximately R3.4 billion that needs to be paid from the toll revenue.”
Sanral says the reality of the current budget deficit, if allowed to increase by not implementing the e-toll system, will be detrimental to the economy and growth prospects of the country.
“Funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project through the user-pay principle has enabled the upgrading of some 201 kilometres of roads that would otherwise have taken in excess of 12 years to fund with the concomitant loss of opportunity,” added Martins.
Sanral today said it welcomes what it says was an unemotional decision by the NCOP. Sanral CEO Nazir Alli says the Bill “enhances the legislative framework for the implementation of projects with e-tolling” and will help improve e-toll operations and enforcement.
“Users of Gauteng’s e-roads have already reaped the rewards of the improvements and will continue to do so. This system will benefit the economy and not hinder it.”
But Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance chairperson Wayne Duvenage says government has another thing coming. “What government has not accounted for, is the unexpected consequences of running roughshod over the [disapproving] public.”
He says Sanral is desperate to drive e-tolls and, despite last week’s postponement, furtively pushed the Bill along.
Duvenage says, considering the immense number of South Africans that do not support e-tolls, the system is doomed to fail.
Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?op...rticle&id=64319:E-tolls-edge-forward&catid=69
The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) has adopted the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill – otherwise known as the E-toll Bill – in what an e-toll opposition group says was a surreptitious ramming through of the controversial law, which amended the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) Act.
The passing of the E-toll bill essentially allows transport minister Ben Martins to make regulations regarding e-tolling. It also enables the collection of tolls and empowers the Cross Border Road Transport Agency to assist Sanral in the collection of tolls at border posts.
Last week the passing of the Bill was postponed “until further notice”. The NCOP’s decision was taken after a debate on the Bill yesterday, during which Martins outlined why the Bill is “essential” to the government raising funds to build and maintain roads.
In his motivation speech, Martins warned the Parliamentary body that failure to collect tolls would have very serious financial implications for both Sanral and the national government at large. “Sanral has issued bonds to fund the project of R20 billion plus capitalised interest amounting to approximately R3.4 billion that needs to be paid from the toll revenue.”
Sanral says the reality of the current budget deficit, if allowed to increase by not implementing the e-toll system, will be detrimental to the economy and growth prospects of the country.
“Funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project through the user-pay principle has enabled the upgrading of some 201 kilometres of roads that would otherwise have taken in excess of 12 years to fund with the concomitant loss of opportunity,” added Martins.
Sanral today said it welcomes what it says was an unemotional decision by the NCOP. Sanral CEO Nazir Alli says the Bill “enhances the legislative framework for the implementation of projects with e-tolling” and will help improve e-toll operations and enforcement.
“Users of Gauteng’s e-roads have already reaped the rewards of the improvements and will continue to do so. This system will benefit the economy and not hinder it.”
But Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance chairperson Wayne Duvenage says government has another thing coming. “What government has not accounted for, is the unexpected consequences of running roughshod over the [disapproving] public.”
He says Sanral is desperate to drive e-tolls and, despite last week’s postponement, furtively pushed the Bill along.
Duvenage says, considering the immense number of South Africans that do not support e-tolls, the system is doomed to fail.
Source: http://www.itweb.co.za/index.php?op...rticle&id=64319:E-tolls-edge-forward&catid=69
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Vaseline on sale tomorrow
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
E-toll Bill is Selective and Dangerous: OUTA
OUTA is astounded by the Minister of Transport’s address to the NCOP (National Council of Provinces) on 21 May, which unconvincingly tries to convey a Government that has consulted and listened to the robust and unrelenting opposition to eTolls from all sectors of society. “In a week that has seen SANRAL loose yet another legal eToll case, in Cape Town, along with an extraordinary denouncement of eTolls by the Catholic Church and only days before more organised protests by COSATU, one could be mistaken to think that the Minister has been out of the country” comments Wayne Duvenage, OUTA Chairperson.
OUTA has always maintained that society is willing to pay for the much needed road upgrades in Gauteng, but it is opposed to an irrational collection system which will cost almost as much as the GFIP upgrades themselves. The Minister implies that tolling is the only way to pay for road development, as if loans and bonds for the timeous development can’t be funded (as they have been for years) through other treasury revenue mechanisms.
Of further concern to OUTA is the sheer lack of proper consultation with stakeholders before the commencement of the upgrades, along with the single mindedness in the choice of eTolling, without properly considering other less costly and more equitable “user-pay” funding methodologies, such as direct transfers from the fiscus and the fuel levy. Both of these funding methods meet the principle of user pay, are prudent and extremely cost efficient to administer. “Indeed SANRAL’s own economic report concedes that eToll is not the most efficient funding choice!” exclaims Duvenage.
Against this context, it is important to note that the Minister refers to funding through ‘the selective use of a user charge’ and concedes that ‘tolling is used selectively’ and then applies this in the “Cash Cow” province of Gauteng, where no reasonable alternative routes or reliable, safe public transport exist.
When referring to the GFIP Steering Committee presentations in 2011, the Minister again conveniently omits to highlight the broad based opposition at the time included business, community, labour, SALGA, all major political opposition parties, ANC Youth League etc, even the Gauteng ANC themselves opposed eTolls. Similarly, when expectations were raised that the eToll problem may be addressed during the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) discussions, parties including BUSA, OUTA, COSATU and other entities failed to reach agreement with Government. Yet, after the discussions, with no broad based consensus in place, the IMC recommended to Cabinet to proceed with eTolling – without publishing their rationale or providing feedback to all constituencies it had engaged with – of the reasons for their decision!
Even when the Department of Transport tested the Gauteng public opinion in November 2012 on proposed e-toll tariff’s and exemptions, the public’s resounding response was‘NO to eTolling’ and submitted over 11,000 comments, which have yet to be published in summary by Government despite their undertaking to do. “In this regard” Duvenage says “it is clear that Government is quite selective about how they report on the real extent of eToll opposition and refuse to conduct a referendum to gauge the support from Gauteng road-users.”
In the Minister’s speech, he impresses on the need for the bill’s acceptance “to improve the effectiveness of toll operations and enforcement”. Why is it then, almost six years after the intent to toll was published, is the Minster now appealing for further legislative changes when during all the previous court preceding’s, SANRAL were adamant that they could implement eTolling within weeks. Duvenage cautions that “the move to criminalise the non-payment of eTolls and the request to place the payment responsibility on the owner of the vehicle, rather than the user, is outrageous and nothing more than letting the fox into the chicken pen to feed”.
Duvenage adds that “had SANRAL and their principals proactively consulted with the various representative associations, prior to forging ahead, many of their current woes would have been highlighted years ago.” A simple Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), of how to prosecute non-eToll payment, would have highlighted the prosecution dilemma that the authorities currently face when trying to prosecute through the Criminal Procedures Act (CPA), as the currently unworkable Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) will not be applied throughout all metros. In addition, SANRAL’s request for exemption from the National Credit Act (NCA) on the grounds that it’s system is a pre-paid one is preposterous. Surely all these legislative issues should have been resolved years ago.
Regarding the damage to the ‘credit reputation of SANRAL’, Duvenage says that SANRAL have “single handedly damaged their own reputation and continue to do so for as long as they refuse to consider other alternative funding proposals and recognise the deep extent of opposition which is only likely to escalate the more they try to ram eTolls through.” Almost ten months after the temporary interdict was set aside, SANRAL have still failed to launch, not of anyone else’s doing but their own. OUTA is concerned that the increasing level of opposition to eTolls will lead to civil disobedience which, under the current labour market tensions, will have a compounded impact on how the various credit agencies view South Africa as an investment destination”. In such an unfortunate event, SANRAL will have to be held accountable and responsible for the unintended consequences of their poor decision making.
Duvenage continues to call for society to help fund the legal costs of OUTA which requires R4million to complete the SCA hearings scheduled for later this year. Failure to obtain the necessary funding might well place the legal case at risk. Funding details are available at www.outa.co.za
Source: http://www.outa.co.za/site/outa-warns-etoll-bill-is-selective-and-dangerous/
OUTA is astounded by the Minister of Transport’s address to the NCOP (National Council of Provinces) on 21 May, which unconvincingly tries to convey a Government that has consulted and listened to the robust and unrelenting opposition to eTolls from all sectors of society. “In a week that has seen SANRAL loose yet another legal eToll case, in Cape Town, along with an extraordinary denouncement of eTolls by the Catholic Church and only days before more organised protests by COSATU, one could be mistaken to think that the Minister has been out of the country” comments Wayne Duvenage, OUTA Chairperson.
OUTA has always maintained that society is willing to pay for the much needed road upgrades in Gauteng, but it is opposed to an irrational collection system which will cost almost as much as the GFIP upgrades themselves. The Minister implies that tolling is the only way to pay for road development, as if loans and bonds for the timeous development can’t be funded (as they have been for years) through other treasury revenue mechanisms.
Of further concern to OUTA is the sheer lack of proper consultation with stakeholders before the commencement of the upgrades, along with the single mindedness in the choice of eTolling, without properly considering other less costly and more equitable “user-pay” funding methodologies, such as direct transfers from the fiscus and the fuel levy. Both of these funding methods meet the principle of user pay, are prudent and extremely cost efficient to administer. “Indeed SANRAL’s own economic report concedes that eToll is not the most efficient funding choice!” exclaims Duvenage.
Against this context, it is important to note that the Minister refers to funding through ‘the selective use of a user charge’ and concedes that ‘tolling is used selectively’ and then applies this in the “Cash Cow” province of Gauteng, where no reasonable alternative routes or reliable, safe public transport exist.
When referring to the GFIP Steering Committee presentations in 2011, the Minister again conveniently omits to highlight the broad based opposition at the time included business, community, labour, SALGA, all major political opposition parties, ANC Youth League etc, even the Gauteng ANC themselves opposed eTolls. Similarly, when expectations were raised that the eToll problem may be addressed during the Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC) discussions, parties including BUSA, OUTA, COSATU and other entities failed to reach agreement with Government. Yet, after the discussions, with no broad based consensus in place, the IMC recommended to Cabinet to proceed with eTolling – without publishing their rationale or providing feedback to all constituencies it had engaged with – of the reasons for their decision!
Even when the Department of Transport tested the Gauteng public opinion in November 2012 on proposed e-toll tariff’s and exemptions, the public’s resounding response was‘NO to eTolling’ and submitted over 11,000 comments, which have yet to be published in summary by Government despite their undertaking to do. “In this regard” Duvenage says “it is clear that Government is quite selective about how they report on the real extent of eToll opposition and refuse to conduct a referendum to gauge the support from Gauteng road-users.”
In the Minister’s speech, he impresses on the need for the bill’s acceptance “to improve the effectiveness of toll operations and enforcement”. Why is it then, almost six years after the intent to toll was published, is the Minster now appealing for further legislative changes when during all the previous court preceding’s, SANRAL were adamant that they could implement eTolling within weeks. Duvenage cautions that “the move to criminalise the non-payment of eTolls and the request to place the payment responsibility on the owner of the vehicle, rather than the user, is outrageous and nothing more than letting the fox into the chicken pen to feed”.
Duvenage adds that “had SANRAL and their principals proactively consulted with the various representative associations, prior to forging ahead, many of their current woes would have been highlighted years ago.” A simple Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), of how to prosecute non-eToll payment, would have highlighted the prosecution dilemma that the authorities currently face when trying to prosecute through the Criminal Procedures Act (CPA), as the currently unworkable Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (AARTO) will not be applied throughout all metros. In addition, SANRAL’s request for exemption from the National Credit Act (NCA) on the grounds that it’s system is a pre-paid one is preposterous. Surely all these legislative issues should have been resolved years ago.
Regarding the damage to the ‘credit reputation of SANRAL’, Duvenage says that SANRAL have “single handedly damaged their own reputation and continue to do so for as long as they refuse to consider other alternative funding proposals and recognise the deep extent of opposition which is only likely to escalate the more they try to ram eTolls through.” Almost ten months after the temporary interdict was set aside, SANRAL have still failed to launch, not of anyone else’s doing but their own. OUTA is concerned that the increasing level of opposition to eTolls will lead to civil disobedience which, under the current labour market tensions, will have a compounded impact on how the various credit agencies view South Africa as an investment destination”. In such an unfortunate event, SANRAL will have to be held accountable and responsible for the unintended consequences of their poor decision making.
Duvenage continues to call for society to help fund the legal costs of OUTA which requires R4million to complete the SCA hearings scheduled for later this year. Failure to obtain the necessary funding might well place the legal case at risk. Funding details are available at www.outa.co.za
Source: http://www.outa.co.za/site/outa-warns-etoll-bill-is-selective-and-dangerous/
LazyLion
King of de Jungle
Martins Selective: OUTA
Transport Minister Ben Martins is failing in his attempts to show government did proper consultations on e-tolling, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said on Thursday.
Chairman Wayne Duvenage said Outa was astounded by the minister's address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday.
With the SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) losing another legal e-toll case in Cape Town, plus e-tolling being denounced by the Catholic Church, "it would seem Martins had been out the country", he said.
Martins addressed the NCOP during debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which is necessary before e-tolling can take place in Gauteng or anywhere else.
The minister said if the growing budget deficit was allowed to increase it would be detrimental to the South African economy.
"This reality makes it necessary to find additional sources of funding to assist the fiscus to meet the various demands made on it so that social expenditure can be maintained, and infrastructure projects implemented," he said.
Infrastructure projects had to be funded through selectively charging road users.
The NCOP adopted the bill against objections by opposition parties, Business Day reported on Thursday.
Duvenage said Outa was willing to pay for necessary road upgrades in Gauteng, but opposed a collection system which would cost almost as much as the GFIP (Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project) upgrades themselves.
"The minister implies that tolling is the only way to pay for road development, as if loans and bonds for the timeous development can't be funded (as they have been for years) through other treasury revenue mechanisms."
Duvenage said of further concern was the lack of consultation before the upgrades began, and the single-mindedness of using e-tolls, without considering less costly user-pay funding.
Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/dd/jk
Date : 23 May 2013 16:00
Transport Minister Ben Martins is failing in his attempts to show government did proper consultations on e-tolling, the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) said on Thursday.
Chairman Wayne Duvenage said Outa was astounded by the minister's address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Wednesday.
With the SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) losing another legal e-toll case in Cape Town, plus e-tolling being denounced by the Catholic Church, "it would seem Martins had been out the country", he said.
Martins addressed the NCOP during debate on the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, which is necessary before e-tolling can take place in Gauteng or anywhere else.
The minister said if the growing budget deficit was allowed to increase it would be detrimental to the South African economy.
"This reality makes it necessary to find additional sources of funding to assist the fiscus to meet the various demands made on it so that social expenditure can be maintained, and infrastructure projects implemented," he said.
Infrastructure projects had to be funded through selectively charging road users.
The NCOP adopted the bill against objections by opposition parties, Business Day reported on Thursday.
Duvenage said Outa was willing to pay for necessary road upgrades in Gauteng, but opposed a collection system which would cost almost as much as the GFIP (Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project) upgrades themselves.
"The minister implies that tolling is the only way to pay for road development, as if loans and bonds for the timeous development can't be funded (as they have been for years) through other treasury revenue mechanisms."
Duvenage said of further concern was the lack of consultation before the upgrades began, and the single-mindedness of using e-tolls, without considering less costly user-pay funding.
Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/dd/jk
Date : 23 May 2013 16:00
- Status