NATIONAL NEWS - There was “no turning back” on his stance that e-tolls must go, Premier David Makhura said yesterday – and he appears to have the ear of the national department of transport, with Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula welcoming his call and promising to address the matter.
During his State of the Province address (Sopa) yesterday, the premier addressed one of the most divisive issues in Gauteng and said his administration was prepared to “contribute something as the provincial government, to ensure the e-tolls are scrapped. There is no turning back”.
Despite this, he said the issue was still in the hands of national government and they were still waiting for them.
“But we remain determined to ensure that e-tolls are not part of the future of our province,” Makhura vowed.
He did not elaborate on how much the province would contribute, or where the money would come from.
Makhura also announced he would be pressuring newly appointed Mbalula to act, saying he would be meeting with him after the address.
Mbalula’s spokesperson, Ayanda Allie-Paine, said the minister “shares the premier’s view that the issue of urban tolling must be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
“The conversation will continue during the minister’s meeting with transport MECs from all nine provinces on Friday.”
