Repaying R12 billion e-toll debt may require borrowing from willing financial institutions

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the only way to pay back the province’s e-toll debt owed to the South African National Rail Agency (SANRAL) is by borrowing money from willing financial institutions.

Lesufi made the comments at a media briefing on Tuesday.

This follows his State of the Province Address on Monday – where he again promised to do away with the controversial e-tolls saga.

Lesufi outlined how the national government planned to recoup the money the province owes due to non-payment by road users.

He said Treasury stated its intention to take R12 billion from the province’s 2024/2025 budget to repay SANRAL.

However, in a quick rebuttal, the premier said a plan was in the pipeline to pay back the funds without the province’s annual budget taking a knock.

“January this year we met with the transport minister and Treasury. We said this is how we want to repay the R12 billion, don’t take it from our budget, we will go to financial institutions that are prepared to borrow us funds. We are also prepared to resolve all outstanding matters that are related.”

Lesufi said the announcement was well thought out and the next step was to ungazette the tolls at a national level.

-EWN

In other news – Anele Mdoda under fire for supporting woman who slept with her friend’s husband

Mzansi television presenter, radio personality, producer, businesswoman, and author, Anele Mdoda is loved for her takes and opinions which she airs on radio and social media, but her recent opinion as regards a lady who slept with her best friend’s husband got her dragged by netizens.

A lady named Yams Zwakala allegedly slept with her best friend’s husband named Thabang. It was reported that this isn’t Yam’s first time committing such an act, as she’s done it with other men. Read More