Deputy Speaker, hon members, government seems hell-bent on imposing the Gauteng e-tolling system, notwithstanding public opposition. Thus far, government concessions on the rationing of the e-tolling system in Gauteng has not gone far enough to address public concerns such as the following: A third of the money collected via the e-tolling system will go towards administration; the failure to use the fuel levy for the building and the maintenance of roads, which is by far the most effective and the more equitable way of doing it; the commoditisation of public roads; the inflationary effect of the e-tolling system on the domestic economy and so on. For these reasons, the UDM finds itself stuck between a rock and a hard place. In what way, one may ask.
We shall be seen to be insensitive to the attempt to reduce the cost burden to the taxpayers if we vote against the Bill on the one hand. On the other, we shall be misconstrued as being in tacit agreement with the e-tolling system if we do. However, after careful consideration, the UDM decided to support the Bill. [Applause.]