OUTA says e-toll system was destined to fail as government writes off debt

June 8, 2026 13

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) CEO, Wayne Duvenage, says the writing was on the wall for the e-toll system to fail just six months after its launch.

Government has officially written off Gauteng’s nearly R20 billion e-toll debt, although motorists who previously paid e-tolls will not be refunded.

The decision comes two years since SANRAL switched off its e-toll gantries.

Although the system was deactivated in 2024, motorists were still required to settle any outstanding e-toll invoices incurred before to the cut-off date.

The e-toll system has been a source of public controversy since it was first introduced in December 2013.

Duvenage says the decision to scrap the debt was long overdue.

“Here we are, 13 years after the launch of e-tolls, nearly, and finallythe nail has been put in the coffin, on the fact that they won’t be refunding those whopaid, I think they are right in that regard.

“We did tell the people not to pay, they shouldn’t pay, because we were going to win this waragainst their irrational government decision, but those who paid, chose to pay, to stayon the right side of the law, and that’s their choice.”

OUTA says e-toll system was destined to fail as government writes off debt Lindiwe Mpanza

Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, says the decision marks a long-awaited step towards bringing the matter to a close in an orderly and responsible manner

“Government reiterates that the close-out of GFIP e-toll debt is intended to provide certainty, resolve historical debt matters and support a sustainable approach to the funding, maintenance and improvement of South Africa’s national road network.”

Creecy says the user-pay principle remains an important part of the country’s road infrastructure funding framework.

I never paid the @MYANC thieves a cent on the thousands I owe them for e-tolls. Not a cent. I feel for the courier and transport companies that paid these thugs millions, and will never get that money back. https://t.co/eJWck6hIal

— GunnySA (@gunny_sa) June 8, 2026

Great use of e-tolls, what led to its removal was public pressure through protest and other legal means.

We are talking about violence here that we reject. No one says don’t protest or pressure government in anyway to show that consent withdrawal. https://t.co/IJ9fgb1pCq

— Esethu Hasane (@lEsethuHasane) June 7, 2026