Close Menu
TechCentralTechCentral

    Subscribe to the newsletter

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube LinkedIn
    WhatsApp Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn YouTube
    TechCentralTechCentral
    • News

      Samsung’s bet on folding phones faces major test

      10 July 2025

      OpenAI to launch web browser in direct challenge to Google Chrome

      10 July 2025

      The satellite broadband operators taking on Starlink

      9 July 2025

      Yaccarino out: Musk’s handpicked CEO quits X suddenly

      9 July 2025

      AI gold rush propels Nvidia to record $4-trillion market cap

      9 July 2025
    • World

      Grok 4 arrives with bold claims and fresh controversy

      10 July 2025

      Cupertino vs Brussels: Apple challenges Big Tech crackdown

      7 July 2025

      Grammarly acquires e-mail start-up Superhuman

      1 July 2025

      Apple considers ditching its own AI in Siri overhaul

      1 July 2025

      Jony Ive’s first AI gadget could be … a pen

      30 June 2025
    • In-depth

      Siemens is battling Big Tech for AI supremacy in factories

      24 June 2025

      The algorithm will sing now: why musicians should be worried about AI

      20 June 2025

      Meta bets $72-billion on AI – and investors love it

      17 June 2025

      MultiChoice may unbundle SuperSport from DStv

      12 June 2025

      Grok promised bias-free chat. Then came the edits

      2 June 2025
    • TCS

      TCS | Connecting Saffas – Renier Lombard on The Lekker Network

      7 July 2025

      TechCentral Nexus S0E4: Takealot’s big Post Office jobs plan

      4 July 2025

      TCS | Tech, townships and tenacity: Spar’s plan to win with Spar2U

      3 July 2025

      TCS+ | First Distribution on the latest and greatest cloud technologies

      27 June 2025

      TCS+ | First Distribution on data governance in hybrid cloud environments

      27 June 2025
    • Opinion

      In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

      30 June 2025

      E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

      30 June 2025

      South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

      17 June 2025

      AI and the future of ICT distribution

      16 June 2025

      Singapore soared – why can’t we? Lessons South Africa refuses to learn

      13 June 2025
    • Company Hubs
      • Africa Data Centres
      • AfriGIS
      • Altron Digital Business
      • Altron Document Solutions
      • Altron Group
      • Arctic Wolf
      • AvertITD
      • Braintree
      • CallMiner
      • CambriLearn
      • CYBER1 Solutions
      • Digicloud Africa
      • Digimune
      • Domains.co.za
      • ESET
      • Euphoria Telecom
      • Incredible Business
      • iONLINE
      • Iris Network Systems
      • LSD Open
      • NEC XON
      • Network Platforms
      • Next DLP
      • Ovations
      • Paracon
      • Paratus
      • Q-KON
      • SevenC
      • SkyWire
      • Solid8 Technologies
      • Telit Cinterion
      • Tenable
      • Vertiv
      • Videri Digital
      • Wipro
      • Workday
    • Sections
      • AI and machine learning
      • Banking
      • Broadcasting and Media
      • Cloud services
      • Contact centres and CX
      • Cryptocurrencies
      • Education and skills
      • Electronics and hardware
      • Energy and sustainability
      • Enterprise software
      • Fintech
      • Information security
      • Internet and connectivity
      • Internet of Things
      • Investment
      • IT services
      • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
      • Public sector
      • Retail and e-commerce
      • Science
      • SMEs and start-ups
      • Social media
      • Talent and leadership
      • Telecoms
    • Events
    • Advertise
    TechCentralTechCentral
    Home » News » E-tolls: ‘A sad day for SA democracy’

    E-tolls: ‘A sad day for SA democracy’

    By Editor13 December 2012
    Twitter LinkedIn Facebook WhatsApp Email Telegram Copy Link
    News Alerts
    WhatsApp

    E-tolling of Gauteng freeways got the legal nod on Thursday when the high court in Pretoria on Thursday dismissed an application to have the project scrapped. “The application is dismissed,” Judge Louis Vorster said, reading out his judgment. “In my view the application cannot succeed.”

    Vorster ruled that the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), as the applicant, should pay the costs of roads agency Sanral, the transport department, national treasury, the MEC of roads and transport in Gauteng, the minister of water & environmental affairs and the director-general of the department.

    “The applicants are ordered to pay jointly and severally the costs reserved by the constitutional court to the respondents who participated in that appeal before the constitutional court.”

    He said the costs order included the cost of counsel.

    After the judgment, Sanral CEO Nazir Alli was seen hugging his colleagues. He said he was pleased with the outcome. “We are not here to crook, we are not going to be shedding any kind of crocodile tears or anything of that sort,” he told reporters. “We are here to implement government policy. I would like all of us to turn around and respect the decision of the courts. It is unfortunate that Outa showed total disregard and disrespect for the decision of the constitutional court.”

    He appealed to the media to report “correctly and truthfully” on the e-toll matter, saying there had been untruths, lies and half-truths published against Sanral. Alli urged people to buy e-tags.

    Outa chairman Wayne Duvenhage shook his head after Voster made his judgment. “I think today’s judgment represents a sad day for South Africa’s democracy as it demonstrates government’s ability to railroad public engagement policy and thereby make decisions that are not in the best interest of society,” he said.

    “The outcome also sends a clear message about the lack of importance of citizens’ input, and will have an input in society’s feeling powerless against the state, and its bulldozer tactics in driving its own agendas and policies.”

    He said the decision would have an impact on South Africa’s global image. Outa was never opposed to society paying for infrastructure upgrades, Duvenhage said. Outa believed Sanral would never be ready to launch e-tolling. “We sincerely ask Sanral and government to reconsider their decision to toll our urban freeways,” Duvenhage said. “We now call on Gauteng motorists to not purchase e-tags, as legally they are not obliged to do so.”

    Duvenhage said his legal team would study the judgment before deciding the way forward.

    Director-general George Mahlalela said it was unclear when e-tolling would begin, saying the minister would make an announcement. “We are pleased with the judgment, we think that it closes a chapter and gives us an opportunity to move forward,” he said. “The minister will very soon announce, after all the submissions were made, the way forward. We are still working on the details.”

    Vorster found that the Gauteng Improvement Freeway Project scheme was done lawfully. In September, the constitutional court overturned an interim order putting the Gauteng e-tolling project on hold. The constitutional court found the high court in Pretoria had not considered the separation of powers between the high court and the executive.

    On 28 April, the high court granted the interdict to Outa, ruling that a full review needed to be carried out before e-tolling could be put into effect. The interdict prevented Sanral from levying or collecting e-tolls pending the outcome of the review.  — Sapa



    Nazir Alli Outa Sanral Wayne Duvenage
    Subscribe to TechCentral Subscribe to TechCentral
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp Telegram Email Copy Link
    Previous ArticleKing Louis named to Telkom board
    Next Article Finally, smart cards to replace SA IDs

    Related Posts

    Court battle brewing over contentious Joburg CCTV by-law

    7 July 2025

    Outa wants probe into botched digital migration project

    27 March 2025

    South African electricity prices have doubled since Covid

    31 January 2025
    Company News

    Samsung unfolds the future with thinnest, lightest Galaxy Z Fold yet

    9 July 2025

    Huawei supercharges South African SMEs with over 20 new eKit products

    9 July 2025

    Webtonic cracks the talent code with AWS-powered TonicHub

    9 July 2025
    Opinion

    In defence of equity alternatives for BEE

    30 June 2025

    E-commerce in ICT distribution: enabler or disruptor?

    30 June 2025

    South Africa pioneered drone laws a decade ago – now it must catch up

    17 June 2025

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the best South African technology news and analysis delivered to your e-mail inbox every morning.

    © 2009 - 2025 NewsCentral Media

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.