Coming up on
Special Assignment this week:
Episode title: To toll or not?
Broadcast date: Thursday, 10 November 2011
Teaser ...
This week 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.
The show reveals the flaws in the feasibility study conducted by the South African Road Agency (Sanral) and questions its failure to question the economic impact of the project. The show also questions the unfettered powers that the agency has over the use of tax payers’ 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.
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?
“To toll or not?” is produced by Peter Moyo Frank Ferro.
Special Assignment is on SABC3 on Thursday at 21h00.