By: Natasha Archary

Transport Minister Sindiswa Chikunga, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela celebrated the moment e-Tolls were switched off but the billing system is still issuing statements to motorists.
At midnight on Friday, 12 April, the Gauteng Provincial Government cheered jubilantly as the countdown began to the moment the e-Toll gantries in the province were switched off.
Chikunga, Lesufi and Diale-Tlabela were at the Buccleuch Interchange to officially scrap the tolling system, which was introduced by SANRAL without public consultation.
Gauteng motorists took the civil disobedience road, by boycotting the tolling system and did not pay the irrational bills.
A move which was supported by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) who urged motorists in the province to stop paying for e-Tolls.
Despite e-Tolls being scrapped, the Minister said existing e-Toll bills will not be scrapped and that under the law, motorists are obligated to pay.
ETOLLS A THING OF THE PAST
— Gauteng Provincial Gov (@GautengProvince) April 11, 2024
Minister Sindiswa Chikunga, Premier @Lesufi and @GPDRT_ MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela at the symbolic switch-off at the Buccleuch Interchange, Johannesburg at 23:59:59. #GrowingGautengTogether pic.twitter.com/JL40sHQFcj
Outa reiterates its message to motorists not to pay for the defunct tolling system.
“We are urging all motorists not to pay for outstanding bills. If anyone is summoned to court, we’re going to protect and defend that motorist. There’s nothing that we’re going to pay.
In any case, this system was not justifiable, so we are urging all motorists not to pay anything.
Gantries are off and we owe government nothing at all.
How do they hope to recoup more money when the system has collapsed because motorists were not prepared to pay.”
Outa says there were many loopholes in the system and already motorists pay a fuel levy which is supposed to be used to maintain the province’s roads, and e-Tolls were just a “daylight robbery scheme.”
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