More tax money wasted on SANRAL’s newsletter 

10 March 2016

The South African Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has wasted even more tax payer’s money by issuing the so-called ‘Tolling Newsletter” which perpetuates the propaganda it wishes the public to believe.

The half-truths contained in the publication are fooling no-one despite it being designed to mislead.

A classic example where SANRAL asks itself “if tolls are not just another tax”, and replies by stating that it is not a tax because you have a choice in the matter. 

You have a choice to earn less and not pay income tax, similarly you have a choice not to buy goods and avoid VAT but these are still taxes and so are tolls. 

In certain areas one’s right to travel freely is curtailed because SANRAL persuaded government that alternate roads are unnecessary and the only road available is tolled. 

SANRAL makes much about most of its roads being untolled, but this is because the collection costs on low traffic volumes are prohibitive. Any road that is well travelled is tolled or planned to be tolled. Once construction costs are recouped it becomes a source of income as any profit after maintenance is paid to concessionaires. 

In the case of e-tolls this profit disappears offshore.

The reason why e-tolls were sneaked onto Gauteng motorists is because the very high volumes will ensure high revenue if the public are gullible enough to pay. Kwa-Zulu Natal refused point blank to accept e-tolls and the Western Cape challenged e-tolls in court and won. 

Why do motorists in these provinces enjoy SANRAL services paid for by taxes while Gauteng, who contributes by far the most tax to the fiscus, must pay income tax and e-tolls. It’s simply unfair.

It is most disconcerting to be paying for SANRAL’s expensive and misleading pamphlets. The agency has proved time after time that they promote half-truths and downright lies in order to try and con the Gauteng public into paying these unjust taxes.

It’s time for SANRAL to wake up and smell the roses – we will not pay.

Issued by Neil Campbell, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport, 10 May 2016