Chairperson and hon members, the Additional Adjustments Appropriation Bill was tabled in Parliament on 22 February 2012 by the Minister of Finance during the tabling of the 2012 Budget.
The objective of the Bill is to provide for an additional allocation of R5,75 billion to the Department of Transport in the 2011-12 financial year to support the SA National Roads Agency Limited, Sanral, to pay debt related to the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
In his 2012 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance stated that the R5,75 billion will contribute to a further reduction of the toll burden. That means it will reduce the debt of R20 billion to be repaid through the toll system and will allow for greater discounts for regular road users.
We will remember, Chairperson, that all forms of public transport - such as taxis, buses and other forms that ferry workers between their workplaces and their homes - are exempted from paying toll road fees.
The R5,75 billion contribution will translate into the following tariff reductions. These tariffs are actually reduced for all those who have registered for e-tags. Therefore most of those who have registered for e- tags will pay a reduced tariff. For example, motorcycles with e-tags will pay 20 cents per km; light vehicles with e-tags will pay 30 cents per km; nonarticulated trucks with e-tags will pay 75 cents per km; and articulated trucks with e-tags will pay R1,51 per km.
This adjustment, therefore, is made in accordance with section 30 of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999, which provides for the adjustment due to significant and unforeseeable economic and financial events affecting fiscal targets set by the annual Budget.
The Select Committee on Appropriations has considered the Additional Adjustments Appropriation Bill (2011-12 Financial Year) and moves for the House to adopt the Bill. I thank you.
Debate concluded.
Declarations of vote: