Sanral suspends payment of some toll fees in KZN

Motorists won't pay fees at the oThongathi and Mvoti toll plazas on the N2 toll route in the province.

This is in light of the devastating floods that left a trail of destruction, with more than 430 people dead and infrastructure gutted.

This includes extensive damage to roads across the province, some of which have been closed amid mop-up operations.

Following the declaration of the national state of disaster, Mbalula wrote to the Sanral board pleading for some relief for motorists in heavily affected areas.

""This intervention follows representations from affected communities and a formal request by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government to ameliorate the plight of road users who were now being forced to use the N2 because of the closure of alternative roads. 

"This then results in locals and other motorists paying toll fees they would not ordinarily have had to pay were the alternative roads operational," said Mbalula on Friday.

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"This suspension will go a long way in assisting communities affected by the closure of alternative roads, which have been damaged by the floods."

It's unclear how long the interim relief will be in place for.

"The cost to Sanral as a result of this decision will constitute an additional contribution by Sanral to the relief of the disaster."

Mbalula added the road agency would work around the clock to complete roadwork.

"The repair of the alternative roads, while these interim measures are in place, will be prioritised and accelerated so as to make it possible for the affected communities to be able to use them again as soon as possible."