DA questions reveal that Gauteng is rejecting e-tolls
The DA has received replies to two parliamentary questions in which the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, admits that while almost half a billion rand in e-tolling invoices was meant to be collected from motorists, only 9% of that amount was actually recovered.
This means the people of Gauteng are effectively rejecting e-tolls in their numbers.
It is revealed by the Minister that R543 544 574 worth of invoices were transferred to the Violations Processing Centre and only 9,21% of the total value of transactions since toll commencement has been recovered.
Furthermore, it costs the Department of Transport over R50 million just to collect debt generated by this system from the people of Gauteng.
The reply states that R54 735 638 has been spent collecting debt as of 1 March 2014. This includes R32 782 580 for postage and printing of invoices and the cost of the actual collection process which is R21 953 058.
The Minister's reply reveals clearly that South Africans do not want etolls and they are not paying for them. It also reveals the costs of the administrative nightmare that has been debt-collecting over the past couple of months.
The people of Gauteng and the rest of South Africa are angered by the unnecessary financial burden that has been put on them because of this system.
The DA has held that e-tolling will be disastrous to the economy and people of Gauteng. The DA will continue to put an end to e-tolls and if we win Gauteng after these upcoming elections, we will action our commitment to end this burdensome, and job-killing, system imposed on our people.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NO 333
Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:
(a) What is the value of the total revenue transferred to the Sanral Violations Processing Centre (VPC) as at the latest specified date for which information is available and (b) what percentage of the revenue in the VPC has been collected? NW386E
Reply
(a) As at 28 February 2014 the total revenue transferred to the Violations Processing Centre is R543 544 574, of which R50 043 487 has been paid.
(b) 9.21%. Revenue represents the nominal value of transactions, excluding VAT. The values have not been adjusted in terms of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which requires the amount to be fair valued and impaired, if applicable. The values are therefore subject to change during the financial year end process, and will still be reviewed by the Auditor-General. No provision for bad debt has been included.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION NO 339
Mr I M Ollis (DA) to ask the Minister of Transport:
(1) What is the (a) total value and (b) percentage of transactions on the Gauteng e-toll system that is passed from the Transaction Clearing House to the Violations Processing Centre (VPC) that has been collected and banked as at 1 March 2014;
(2) what is the value of the cost to collect these funds as a percentage of the revenue collected and banked? NW392E
Reply:
(1) I am informed that (a) ss at 1 March 2014, R543 544 574 worth of invoices were transferred to the VPC (b) 9,21% of the total value of transactions since toll commencement.
(2) I am informed that that as at 28 February 2014 an amount of R54 735 638 (excl VAT) has been expended in the collection of the debt. It includes R32 782 580 for postage and printing of invoices, which is required in terms of legislation. The cost of debt collection processes is therefore R21 953 058, which is 4% of revenue as in (1)(a) above and 44% of cash generated in the VPC to date.
Statement issued by Ian Ollis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Transport, April 2 2014
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