Government is united over Gauteng tollgate system

21 Feb 2011

Government has noted a front page article in the Sunday Independent, 20 February 2011 edition, reporting about a supposed "clash" between Transport Minister S'bu Ndebele and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane "over toll charges".

Government would like to put it on record that there is no clash between Minister Ndebele and Premier Mokonyane - or any other clash within the leadership of government - about the soon-to-be-launched tollgate system in Gauteng.

Premier Mokonyane clarified the matter in her State of the Province Address on Monday, 21 February 2011, saying: "We support the need for public consultation and the need for an affordable, reliable and safe public transport system, including the use of tolling as a cost recovery mechanism."

In a press statement on 17 February 2011, Minister Ndebele said a series of consultations amongst interested stakeholders will culminate in a road funding summit in March 2011, hosted by the Department of Transport.

Amongst other things, the summit will seek to "resolve the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) tolling issue as well as other pertinent issues related to the funding, construction and maintenance of roads in South Africa."

Minister Ndebele further said: "We need good roads throughout the country and we have to come up with innovative ways to finance them. Together, let's look for solutions."

Government remains committed to a public transport network that is efficient and sustainable. It is in this context that a meeting between Minister Ndebele and Premier Mokonyane will take place on Tuesday, 22 February 2011, focusing on the tollgate system in Gauteng.

Statement issued by Jimmy Manyi, Government Spokesperson, Government Communications (GCIS), February 21 2011

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