High Court stops e-tolls

28 April 2012 - 14:22 By Sapa
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Toll gantry. File picture.
Toll gantry. File picture.
Image: Sowetan
Toll gantry. File picture.
Toll gantry. File picture.
Image: Sowetan

"I make the following order... the first respondent [SA National Roads Agency] is interdicted and restrained from levying and collecting tolls," said Judge Bill Prinsloo.

Everyone in the public gallery stood up and clapped hands after he delivered his judgment.

Prinsloo granted an urgent interdict, brought by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), to stop the launch of the system, so that a full court review could be carried out to decide if it should be scrapped or not.

Prinsloo said that while he realised Sanral would suffer huge financial losses, members of the public would also suffer hardship of the controversial project went ahead.

Prinsloo had earlier said Outa had a prima facie right to argue for a review of the e-toll project in Gauteng.

"I am persuaded that [the] applicants have a prima facie right," said Prinsloo.

He was handing down judgment in an urgent application by Outa to stop the e-toll project, pending the outcome of a court review.

Prinsloo summarised the review grounds that were brought before the court this week.

"After careful consideration of arguments and counter-arguments the applicants have managed to cross this hurdle," said Prinsloo.

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