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5mo ago

Cabinet Orders Write-Off of Gauteng E‑Toll Debt

The decision ends legal claims and collection, leaves unpaid sums with SANRAL and National Treasury, and denies refunds to motorists who paid while the tolls were lawful.

Picture: Michel Bega
Cabinet has authorised Sanral to write off the e-toll’s historical debt and to end all litigation. Picture: Moneyweb
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Government announces Gauteng e-toll debt write-off — but no refunds if you paid

Overview

  • Cabinet authorised SANRAL on Sunday to write off all outstanding Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) e‑toll debt, to stop further collection and to close related litigation.
  • The transport department said motorists who lawfully paid e‑tolls while the system was legally in force will not be refunded because those levies were valid at the time of payment.
  • The financial gap created by unpaid tolls will be managed through arrangements involving National Treasury and SANRAL, and the Gauteng government has taken over maintenance of 201 km of former tolled freeways.
  • The move completes a long-running process that included the formal withdrawal of GFIP toll declarations in April 2024 after years of public opposition and falling compliance to around 10% by 2023.
  • News outlets emphasised that the decision provides legal and fiscal finality for road users and the fiscus, while opinion pieces argued the write-off represents a political setback for the ANC.