Pictured: SANRAL CEO, Nazir Alli

The implementation of e-tolls on Gauteng highways is imminent, the transport department and the national roads agency said on Sunday.

The Department of Transport and South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) have announced that the implementation of e-tolling Gauteng’s freeways is “imminent”.

SANRAL CEO, Nazir Alli, has stated that there are a few steps left in this process, but the implementation of the e-toll system is well on its way.

“We are starting to implement the final steps before e-tolling begins,” says Alli.

These final steps include two legal stepsthat need to be completed: the 30 days the public had to comment on the draft documents gazetted; and the signing of the amendment bill into law by President Jacob Zuma.

“We have followed all due process and have all the necessary infrastructure in place to commence,” says Alli.

Most of the criticism against the e-tolls has been based on their effect on ordinary South Africans, who will suffer the cost of using roads necessary for their jobs. It has also been claimed that there was a lack of consultation about the process.

Sanral is on record as saying it believes e-tolling is a “sustainable” way of funding the upgrading of Gauteng’s freeway system.