Sanral bleeds cash as e-tolls ignored

THE South African National Roads Agency Limited continues to lose millions of rands as e-toll compliance levels stay low.

Against a projected total of R284-million for November and December, Sanral took in just R137-million.

Spokesman Vusi Mona said that if the dire situation continued, the agency would not be able to service the R20-billion debt it incurred for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement project.

“This will result in investors calling upon the government guarantee to receive payment for all guaranteed bonds,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gauteng government spokesman Thabo Masebe said premier David Makhura planned to make public the recommendations and findings of a review panel he had convened “in the next four weeks or so”.

Makhura set up the 12-member panel — at a cost of R10-million — to assess the socioeconomic impact of e-tolls on the province.

Makhura’s decision was driven by the hammering the ANC received in Gauteng during the general elections last year.

Masebe said Makhura had started consultations with the national government and the three Gauteng metros after receiving the panel’s report in November last year. — Isaac Mahlangu