A panel of 15 people will assess the socioeconomic impact of e-tolls in Gauteng, premier David Makhura said on Thursday.
The panel, which will meet for the first time on 17 July, will assess the impact of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project on the economy and on Gauteng residents.
It would invite proposals and submissions from Gauteng residents on proposed solutions. The panel would submit its finding and recommendations to the provincial government.
“The panel is expected to present monthly reports and final report and recommendations to the Gauteng provincial government by 30 November 2014.”
The panel members are: chairman Muxe Nkondo, Patricia Hanekom, John Ngcebetsha, Vuyo Mahlathi, Luci Abrahams, Fiona Tregenna, Anna Mokgokong, John Sampson, Lauretta Teffo and Chris Malikane.
Five more members were expected to be announced later, Makhura said.
“I will announce the rest of the names once I have concluded consultations with them.”
Makhura announced the establishment of a panel to examine the impact of e-tolling last month.
However, DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane has described Makhura’s announcement as “nothing more than a PR stunt”.
“The e-tolls system is governed by national legislation,” Maimane said. “Therefore, the only body that is empowered to legitimately review the system and make pronouncements on its future, is parliament, through the portfolio committee on transport.”
He described Makhura intervention as a “charade”.
“The terms of reference for the Gauteng e-tolls review panel announced by premier Makhura today clearly indicate that the panel is not empowered to take any actions against e-tolls,” he said. “The people of South Africa need to see action on e-tolls, not a ‘talk shop’ in Gauteng that has no legal powers.”
On 25 September, President Jacob Zuma signed into law the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill, giving the go-ahead for e-tolling in Gauteng.
The e-toll system started operating across Gauteng on 3 December following several court challenges to halt the project. — Sapa and NewsCentral Media
