Government2.12.2013

E-tolls here at midnight

By SAPA

The long-awaited electronic tolling system (e-tolls) on Gauteng’s highways is expected to go live at midnight on Monday.

This follows several years of delays due to court challenges and a public outcry.

Below is the timeline of events leading up to the day Gauteng motorists will start paying.

October 8, 2007 — Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) is officially launched.
October 12, 2007 — Intention to toll sections of Gauteng’s freeways published in Government Gazette. Public asked to comment.
November 14, 2007 — Closing date for public comment on the proposed introduction of e-tolls.

March 28, 2008 — Sections of Gauteng freeways declared toll roads in Government Gazette.
June 26, 2008 — Construction of the first phase of the GFIP commences.

June 2010 — The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) starts erecting toll gantries along Gauteng’s freeways.

February 4, 2011 — Sanral announces e-toll tariffs and that registration commences in the second quarter of 2011.
February 18, 2011 — Congress of SA Trade Unions announces it will call for strike action over the introduction of e-tolls.
February 22, 2011 — The then transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele suspends implementation of e-tolls and establishes a committee to address concerns about the tariffs.
March 2011 — Public consultation process on e-tolls takes place.
June 2011 — GFIP steering committee announces reduced e-toll tariffs following the public consultation process.
August 10, 2011 — Cabinet approves the revised tariffs for e-tolls.
October 23, 2011 — Ndebele orders that e-tolls be halted and that further consultation take place.
November 2011 — Public hearings held on e-tolls.

February 22, 2012 — In his budget speech, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan announces that e-tolls will go ahead at reduced rate in April of that year.
March 2012 — Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) applies for an urgent interdict in the High Court in Pretoria against the implementation of e-tolls.
April 29, 2012 — The court grants Outa an interim interdict pending a full judicial review.
March 22, 2012 — Treasury files an appeal against the interim interdict in the Constitutional Court.
August 15, 2012 — Case is heard in the Constitutional Court.
September 20, 2012 — Constitutional Court sets aside the temporary interdict.
December 13, 2012 — After the full judicial review, the High Court in Pretoria rules against Outa in its application to have the implementation of e-tolls set aside.

January 25, 2013 — High Court in Pretoria grants Outa leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) against the December ruling.
September 25, 2013 — Outa appeal is heard in the SCA.
October 9, 2013 — Outa loses its appeal in the SCA.
November 20, 2013 — Transport Minister Dipuo Peters announces e-tolls will go live on December 3.
November 26, 2013 — Sanral warns that a hefty bill awaits non-registered motorists without e-toll accounts who fail to pay for e-tolls within a week. The Freedom Front Plus announces a last-minute attempt to stop the implementation of e-tolls through an application for an interdict in the High Court in Pretoria.
December 2, 2013 — FF Plus application is heard in court.