November 10, 2011’To toll or not!’ – produced by Peter Moyo Frank Ferro
Special Assignment investigates the cost implications of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. The R20 billion project – a significant upgrade of 185km of the most congested freeways and 34 interchanges in the province – was meant to improve the country’s road infrastructure and ease congestion on major highways. However, it has been met with fierce public opposition and threats of boycotts.
We reveal the flaws in the feasibility study conducted by the South African Road Agency (Sanral) and question its failure to question the economic impact of the project. We also question the unfettered powers that the agency has over the use of taxpayers’ funds. It is these flaws that led the Minister of Transport, Sbu Ndebele, halting all projects related to toll roads, in consideration of the cost implications to the economy and the consumer at large.
Thursday November 10, 2011 SABC3 at 9pm
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) and other organizations have threatened to strike should the South African Road Agency (Sanral) start implementing toll fees through the R20bn Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project. The Western Cape provincial government is also challenging Sanral in court, citing insufficient consultation on plans to construct a R10bn toll highway on the Winelands route. Did SANRAL overstep its mandate and who stands to benefit the most from this project?
For more information:
Special Assignment office: (011) 714-6757/8
Executive Producer: Busi Ntuli – 083 346 7291
Co-ordinator: Menatalie Van Rooyen – 083 241 7670
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