The cost of doing business for a typical small business in Gauteng has risen by an average of R17000 so far this year because of e-tolls.
This is according to a DA survey on the effect of the urban tolling system on micro enterprises. It said "e-tolls are killing jobs and businesses in Gauteng".
The survey covered 50 small businesses and relied on information provided by the owners.
"The results so far reveal the e-tolls bill, for a sample of 50 small businesses, amounting to R850000 so far this year. The highest cumulative bill incurred by a single enterprise was a staggering R101761.83. That is more than R10000 per month," DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said yesterday.
"SMMEs [small- and medium-sized enterprises] are expected to create 90% of the jobs required to meet the National Development Plan's objective of 11million jobs by 2030, and therefore the success of these businesses is crucial to the fight against unemployment.
"On this note, it is deeply ironic that the ANC government champions small business as the chief creator of jobs, but then implements a scheme which hinders the advancement and success of small businesses," the party said.
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