• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

Pretoria West APRIL 9, 2021 • 012-842-0300 Sanral puts Dec 2013 temporary hold on July 2019 Decision on Mar 2021 pursuing non-payers solution is delayed E-tolls system Transport minister Cabinet mandates is launched again fails to Mar 2019 transport minister to Dec 2020 announce solution come up with solution DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads and Transport Fred Nel said lack of announcement was disappointing. E-toll deadline whooshes by Yet another deadline on the announcement on the future of the unpopular e-tolls system by government went by last month. Sinesipho Schrieber scrapped altogether or continued before the “It has just given us more wind under the government missed several deadlines. beginning of the fi nancial year, which was our sails to tackle government on this.” “It’s clear that cabinet has not made a The government has missed yet another this April. Duvenage said the government would decision on the matter, but the minister deadline to come to a decision on the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) have to continue funding the project, which cannot drag us along like this.” future of the much-maligned e-toll system Wayne Duvenage said the broken promises has been boycotted by many motorists who Nel said the DA would be writing to last month. on the deadline of e-tolls was eroding simply refuse to pay. Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, urging This as a civil society group and a local public trust in the government. “At some point, they have to make a him to lodge an intergovernmental dispute opposition political party have vowed to “It is ridiculous that they are making decision. with the National Department of Transport continue fi ghting for the scrapping of the these promises for the last two years and “They cannot aff ord not to make a for the urgent scrapping of e-tolls. Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project nothing happens,” Duvenage said. decision and they will have to make it “For the past 18 months, Mbalula has (e-tolls). Duvenage said the latest deadline missed soon. been continuously kicking this can down Gauteng motorists are yet to see a came as no surprise as the government “But either way, society has made that the road. decision on the future of e-tolls as the failed to meet several deadlines from 2019. decision for them.” “It is clear that it is just another political Department of Transport missed yet “This is just another example of DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Roads ploy to further delay the matter,” he said. another deadline for end-March. how they further distance and alienate and Transport Fred Nel said the lack of an “Given the recent announcements that Minister Fikile Mbalula previously said themselves from society.” announcement was disappointing. all toll fees would soon increase, despite that a decision to resolve the impasse over Duvenage said the delays in a decision “Mbalula is full of false promises. the desperate state of the economy and the the e-tolls would be announced by then. by the government would only strengthen “I don’t know whether we can believe subsequent damage to livelihoods during The deadline, however, came and went motorists calling for the e-toll system to be him that he is actually serious about this the strict Covid-19 lockdown, it is even without any word from authorities. scrapped more resolute. issue.” more important to get rid of e-tolls as soon Mbalula promised they would make “Whether they make their decision or Nel said while the matter also remained as possible.” their fi nal decision on whether e-tolls be not, we will continue to fi ght this. in cabinet’s hands, it was unfortunate that Nel said for too long the residents of Gauteng have been paying for something they were not consulted on and cannot aff ord. “The people of Gauteng must no longer be burdened by this unworkable system.” Gerhardus Mulder Nehee Leboo Barend Stander The implementation of e-tolls in 2013 has been met with public retaliation with E-toll was the biggest waste Yes, they must remove When I fi rst moved to many motorists refusing to pay. of money. I have never and them (e-tolls). According Pretoria I paid e-tolls but Political parties and civil organisations will never pay it. Even if they make it illegal to to me, it’s a scam. Now people have lost after realising how few people actually pay, I have also put pressure on the government own a vehicle if you don’t pay. I will then be their jobs because of Covid-19 and they stopped. to scrap it. a criminal and still not pay it. We pay enough can’t aff ord to pay tolls. Even before the Government expects us to keep paying and The department of transport had yet to taxes on fuel. Why pay to drive on roads that pandemic people couldn’t aff ord to pay them, yet they can’t decide on whether the system comment at the time of going to print. What our readers had to say are actually worse than before? government must pay them, not us. should stay or not. 2 NEWS PRETORIA WEST REKORD APRIL 9, 2021 ‘Final Covid compliance warning’ to local hospital Reitumetse Mahope spokesperson Zandile Mthimunye, however, denied that the hospital had Tshwane District Hospital was one not followed health and safety of several Gauteng health facilities protocols. that received a fi nal warning for not According to Mthimunye, Tshwane complying with occupational health and District Hospital merged with Steve safety legislation during Covid-19. Biko Academic hospital to fi ght This was revealed by Gauteng health Covid-19 together in March last year. Tshwane mayor Randal Williams. MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi. She said the decision was made during Her written reply was in response to a a meeting held between representatives question by DA Gauteng shadow MEC of the two hospitals chaired by cluster for health Jack Bloom in the Gauteng head Dr. Mathabo Mathebula. provincial legislature. Mthimunye said further a meeting with ‘Lowest’ property rate The managements of Chris Hani acting MEC Jacob Mamabolo was held Baragwanath, Helen Joseph, Rahima in August last year. Moosa, Wits Oral & Dental, Medunsa During this meeting a report about Oral & Dental hospitals, among others, occupational health and safety issues increase ever for city also received such warnings. was submitted to the MEC as requested. Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara “However, the MEC at that time was Kekana said these warnings were part of under the impression that Tshwane ‘An increase of only 2% is proposed for property rates while “consequence management”. District Hospital will submit a separate According to Mokgethi, Tshwane report, hence it was not recorded. refuse removal charges will increase by 4.1%.’ District Hospital’s management failed “As far as we know, both hospitals are to hold a daily meeting on personal fully compliant with all occupational Noxolo Sibiya property owners and consumers, particularly protective equipment (PPE) or hold health and safety regulations to date.” when it comes to the payment of property environmental risk assessments and Mthimunye said Tshwane District and Tshwane metro mayor Randall Williams rates and service charges,” he said. health and safety meetings. Steve Biko hospitals were still working said the metro took a fi rm decision to keep “As the consumption of electricity, “I am concerned that CEOs of major together. property rates hike as low as possible. water and by implication, sanitation, can hospitals neglected occupational health “The hospitals have developed a clear This was announced by Williams on be managed by residents I implore you to and safety during the pandemic as this contingency plan to manage any [Covid] Wednesday, saying this was an eff ort to manage and track your consumption.” increased the risk of staff contracting the resurgence. They continuously hold joint help residents manage Eskom’s 15.63% He said the metro would continue to virus,” said Mokgethi. meetings to monitor changes and come electricity hike. scrutinise every budgeted expenditure Tshwane District Hospital up with improvement plans.” Williams said the metro took a fi rm category to identify savings that could decision to keep the rates hike as low as potentially further reduce things such as the possible. property rate increase. “An increase of only 2% is proposed for “We will do all we can to ensure that property rates while refuse removal charges Tshwane is an aff ordable place to live,” he will increase by 4.1%,” Williams said. said. “This property rates increase is the lowest Should residents wish to comment on in the city’s history. the tariff increases, they can do so on the “Of particular concern, however, was the Tshwane website. steep increase of 15.63% in the cost of bulk purchases from Eskom eff ective 1 April 2021.” Williams said the metro “had no other choice” but to pass this cost increase on to customers and a tariff increase of 14.59% eff ective 1 July 2021, was proposed in the draft budget for 2021/22. Eskom’s tariff hike was not the only binding increase. Similarly the metro was bound by the tariff increase for bulk purchases of water from Rand Water compelling it to increase the water tariff by 8% while sanitation charges will increase by 10%. “The compilation of the city’s budget, the draft 2021/22 medium-term revenue and expenditure framework, was challenging. Especially given the current economic environment and the challenges facing Photo for illustration purposes. Photo: File Contact us Publisher Code of Conduct Audit Group Editor: Rekord is owned and published by Capital This newspaper has committed itself to report The distribution of this Sunette Visser / [email protected] Media, 32 Orpen Ave, Lydiana, Pretoria news truthfully and accurately, and to publish ABC newspaper is 0184; and printed by North West Web comment that is fair, in accordance with the highest independently audited Tel: 012 842 0300 Business Manager: Printers (Pty) Ltd, 13 Coetzer Street, standards of journalism as set out in the Press to the professional Sabine Goodwin / [email protected] Rustenburg, 0300.

Load more

  8

Copy Link