Hon Deputy Speaker, hon Deputy President, hon members, on the surface, the principle of user-pays is not a bad one. Where it is possible and practical, people are expected to pay for services that they receive. Perhaps the same could be said about toll-gate fees. Azapo has a problem where existing roads are changed into toll roads, pushing citizens onto obscure and badly maintained roads. We had expected that new toll roads would be created, roads that would be so good and efficient as to attract road users away from the existing roads. Azapo also has a problem with a system where the lion's share of the money collected will go to people or companies that have developed the collection system. We contend that the e-tolling system is inefficient and expensive. When roads were being improved before the 2010 Fifa World Cup, we were made to believe that the improvements were a part of the legacy that the World Cup would leave for the country. Nobody said then that the roads would be tolled. We were not told that part of that legacy would be the e-tolls that we are now inheriting.
But, for us as Azapo, hon Deputy Speaker, the question that the country should ask is: Why are we being asked now? Why is the National Assembly being approached now? The roads have been built. The gates have already been erected. Therefore, the system is already there and this House is being told to approve something that has already been created. In our view, we think that this House is being undermined. We pity the Minister because we know that the baby he is bringing to this House is not even his. We know the paternity of that child. Azapo is opposed to the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill. Thank you.