KwaDukuza mayor queries Sanral decision to reinstate uMvoti tolls
The KwaDukuza Municipality has rejected a move by national roads agency Sanral to reinstate the payment of toll fees at the uMvoti Toll Plaza, north of Durban.
The road agency announced last week that it had written to Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula about its plans to bring back toll fees at the uMvoti and oThongathi plazas from the beginning of February.
A decision to suspend payment of fees came after the R102 and M4 were damaged during last year's April floods.
Mayor Lindile Nhaca says SANRAL's decision is hasty and could have a negative impact on the local economy.
“While we appreciate the significant progress achieved on the M4 in easing the congestion that was experienced at the aftermath of the floods, we equally wish to extend our heartfelt concern on your hasty consideration to reinstate the payment of toll fees at Umvoti Toll Plaza in the knowledge that the alternative route (R102) linking KwaDukuza and Ethekwini has not yet been fully restored,” she said in a letter to the roads agency.”
“The R102 and P103 are one of our mainstream economic facilitators and form part of our key avenues for the growth of our commercial industries. In addition, these routes continue to play a pivotal role in our economy as they empower business, service delivery and improve livelihoods.
“Both routes were heavily affected by the floods and remain albatross to KwaDukuza and its people.”
