/ 17 May 2012

Government to appeal e-tolling interdict

Government To Appeal E Tolling Interdict

“Cabinet has taken a decision to appeal the interim order to stop the e-tolling,” government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi told a fortnightly post-Cabinet briefing.

He said the government had only received a written copy of Judge Bill Prinsloo’s April 28 judgment late on Wednesday.

“As we are sitting here, our lawyers are studying the judgment and will advise the executive in due course.”

He added: “Cabinet reiterated its commitment to the user pays principle and its decision on e-tolling as an efficient mechanism of collection.”

Manyi said Cabinet also made plain it would not allow the embattled SA National Roads Agency Ltd to default on the debt it incurred to complete the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP).

“As a country we need to demonstrate unequivocal commitment to meet all our contractual obligations, including repaying the debt incurred in the construction of GFIP. Defaulting on our debt is simply not an option.” – Sapa