DA submits questions on assignment of NPA prosecutors for E-tolling

The DA will submit questions to the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Michael Masutha, and the Minister of Transport, Dipuo Peters, to determine the full extent of the NPA’s assignment of two prosecutors to investigate whether the conduct of some motorists constitute an offence. We will also specifically inquire into whether SANRAL unilaterally requested this involvement. The DA is concerned by this latest development, specifically given the changing context of the e-tolling debate. Just last week, Gauteng Premier David Makhura, announced a so-called ‘review’ of the e-tolling project. The DA has also made clear that it will seek to amend the national legislation in Parliament. This development is specifically important in light of the ANC’s rethinking of the controversial project. Surely, it would have made better sense to only make such an assignment after the supposed review was complete, and all parliamentary processes initiated by the DA were finalised? We look forward to this clarification from the respective ministers. Without it, we risk allowing a perception of an attempt to intimidate motorists into buying into a system they have so overwhelmingly rejected.