Gauteng Finance MEC Jacob Mamabolo has reaffirmed Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s promise to scrap the unpopular e-toll system by the end of March. During his State of the Province Address, Lesufi assured residents that the gantries would be switched off next month.

Delivering the provincial budget, Mamabolo said, “The province has accepted the 30% debt contribution, and the provision for honoring this commitment is part of the fiscal framework.” He added, “The province has approached financial institutions to raise money required to honor its contractual obligations, noting that the target date for ending the tolling of GFIP 1 is 31 March 2024.”

Mamabolo emphasized, “Let me reaffirm Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s commitments in the State of the Province that by the 31st of March 2024, we should have resolved the issue of E-Tolls once and for all.”

According to Mamabolo, SANRAL has confirmed that the e-tolls maintenance backlog bill is at R4.1 billion, requiring funding over four years. He stated, “This demonstrates beyond reasonable doubt the province’s commitment to comply with the National Treasury’s requirements and brings us closer to exiting the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.”

Fourteen days after the deregulation gazette is published, Gauteng road users will no longer be charged for using the freeways. Mamabolo said, “Road users can continue to use their e-tags at all other toll plazas in the country, as long as their accounts are active. Further details on this process will be communicated to all road users in due course.”