South African Toll Roads, Taxes and National Debt

I looked but didn't see this posted, if it is or is not allowed I am sure the mods will do their job and remove it or move it!

Got this email from a friend in South Africa this morning, quite the eye opener!

Remember, postal summonses are not legal documents and you need not react to them.

From: Henk Bolhuis [Ex-Deputy Chief Traffic Officer of Pretoria, South Africa]

TAX

I think, and I am sure that many of you are the same, that the tolls are a disgrace, both the extortionate toll fees themselves and also the widely published fact that we are expected to pay up to R18 BILLION over the next 10 years just to collect the toll fees.
I wanted to share the clarity of thought in this mail and agree that I will not be installing anything on my car.
They are not going to have easy access to my bank account, they say they want a debit order - forget it.
Send me a bill (by registered mail) every time - and I will pay it just as fast as I pay the speeding fines that arrive by normal post (which I also ignore).
Together we can make this whole thing fail - as it should.
Let the toll gates stay there, not working, as monuments to people power.
Let's call this the start of the SA Awakening, look what the normal people are achieving in North Africa with the Arab Awakening.
I hope this goes around at least a billion times.
Taxes and Open Road Toll Fees
People should not install the transponders but still use thehighways and force the government to issue accounts and summonses to allmotorists until such time they drop the prices.
The government will be forced to send out millions of accounts every month and they don't have the manpower to do it.
This is the best and easiest way to boycott the system.
What is the government going to do about motorists from other neighboringcountries that don't have these transponders?
South Africans are too complacent and its time we fight back.
WE have paid for these roads.
Now they are also proposing a 1% tax to fund the SABC
Circulate this to all your friends!!!!!!!!
Has anyone thought just how much tax we are already paying?
a. 35% on your salary
b. 14% on everything you buy (bar fresh produce) and services rendered.
c. Carbon tax if you buy a new car (besides the 14% VAT you have to pay)
d. Tax on the fuel you put in your car to run it.
e. Toll on our roads – and for some it is going to come to a whopper of 10% of your salary (If you earn R10 000.00 a R1 000 would go toward tolling if you migrate between PTA and JHB every day.)
Bully to try and pacify me with the idea that I can claim it back from my income tax!!!
I have to fork out the money first. Going on holiday to DBN? Remember to save up your R1000.00 for tolling.
To say the least - For every R10.00 you earn, the government is already taking approx R6.00 and still they want more. Are you happy with the R4.00 you are getting?
NICE!!!!!
When are we going to get up and do something about it? Where is
all the money going to?
It is definitely not being spent on what it should be - our hospitals are in a state of disrepair, our schools in shambles, our roads full of potholes, our water contaminated, sewers not working, left in the dark because Eskom failed to do their upgrades, the poor are poorer still, municipalities on the brink of collapse, and so the list goes on.
Heard about the youth day celebration that cost R100 million?
Mmmm... did you pay for it?
Oh yes sir/madam you did! R100 million that could have paid for a couple of things our country needed more.
And to put the numbers in perspective:
The next time you hear an SA politician use the word 'billion'in a casual manner, think about whether you wanted the 'politicians' spending YOUR tax money.
A billion is a difficult number to comprehend, but one advertising agency did a good job of putting that figure into some perspective in one of its press releases:
A. A billion seconds ago it was 1959.
B.. A billion minutes ago Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
C. A billion Rand ago was only 27 hours and 12 minutes at the rate our SA government is squandering it
(over a billion rand a day??!!)
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporation Tax
Income Tax
Value Added Tax
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel License Tax
Petrol/Diesel Tax
Hunting License Tax
Luxury Tax
Property Tax
Service charge taxes
Capital gains Tax
Social Security Tax
Securities Transfer Tax
Road Usage Tax
Local Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Worker's Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Hardly any of these taxes existed 20 years ago...
And our nation was one of the most prosperous in Africa.
We had absolutely no national debt...
What happened ?
ANSWER :
Look at the Government.....and who is 'running' the country....
INTO THE GROUND - on YOUR and MY 'billions'!!!
We hope this goes around at least a billion times.

My thoughts? I think this is a disgrace, not only this but the fact that mansions are being built or upgraded at the cost of hundreds of millions of South African Rands while the majority of the "disenfranchised", 'impoverished", "discriminated against (apartheid)" population who were going to be uplifted by the Post Apartheid Regime are now worse off than they ever were under Minority White Rule! People are starving, living under bridges, people are dying because of the priorities of the Ruling ANC are ass backwards! I don't just blame it on the government though, I also lay blame at the feet of the people who will even under such dire situations keep voting the ANC into power! When will the populations of ALL African countries, no matter what the colour of their skin, no matter what religion they follow, language they speak, when will WE ALL rise up and demand that our voices be heard?

What is needed in Africa is schools, hospitals, usable roads, proper infrastructure! What is not needed is this continued nepotism and lining of pockets, bribery and corruption everywhere we turn! The time is now, Africa the future is ours but we need to stand up and TAKE IT!

I agree 100%!

As long as everyone stands together, the people will have their say.

Problem is so many (white?) South Africans are so apologetic that they unquestioningly say "Yes", "Amen" and "Sorry" to all the bullcrap thrown their way. So, many people will buy e-tags. BUT if the majority refuse to buy e-tags and refuse to pay e-toll, the government will eventually learn their lesson. They were clever to exclude Minibus Taxis from e-toll charges. If Taxis where included this whole drama would've come to a sudden stop a long time ago...

Yes, in the beginning they will try and make examples of "the rebels" and they will typically pick on easy prey like older women dragging them to court. But if we stand strong the legal costs to the state will quickly run into the billions making prosecution even more expensive than maintaining the roads. Our magistrate courts are under strain as it is, so imagine adding the pressure of prosecuting e-toll offenders to the courts...

Portugal lead the way by example: Portugal's e-toll flop a warning for SA

...The Portugal News, reported that the country’s e-toll system – implemented a little over a year-and-a-half ago – has amounted to a “dead loss” for the country’s state-owned roads agency, Estradas de Portugal
...
A combination of plummeting road usage and an increasing number of users failing to pay e-tolls, says the publication, has resulted in a system that, as it stands, is not only unsustainable, but also a drain on the economy as administration fees eat into EP’s already scrawny profits.
...

And they're failing at a 19% non-compliance:

...Judging by Portugal’s e-toll project, which has seen a 19% non-payment rate by road users, he says, “you can rest assured that matters of noncompliance will be far worse here for Sanral, following the outrage and general public rejection of their plans to toll Gauteng’s freeways”...

I'm pretty sure we'll easily be able to do better than that.

And consider that - as it is - our Government is pathetic at even the most basic administrative tasks. Imagine a very complex system like this...

...The Portugal News Online quotes EP’s CEO, António Ramalho, as saying cars travelling without an electronic tagging device cost as much to bill as the amount the motorists pay for using the country’s toll roads.

“Currently, 29% of all fees collected from these motorways are channelled towards administrative fees, which rose from €17 million [about R224 million] in 2011 to €42 million [about R553 million] last year.”...

Just this morning I was thinking about this whole situation. My suggestion would be to start an "anti-e-toll fund". People that want to fight e-toll pay, let's say R20.00 (US$ 2.00) membership a month. Then when the state starts to prosecute non-compliant users, the defense lawyers are paid out of the "anti-e-toll fund" putting no extra financial pressure on the citizens willing to fight. (©)

The only way - and perhaps I shouldn't say this out loud, as it may just give them ideas - the government is going to win this (if the people stand together) is if they turn the electronic system into physical booths with booms. Meaning they will grind the rush hour traffic to a complete stop, making the whole "improved highway" null and void.

reply to post by Gemwolf


Hi Gemwolf

Thanks for your reply AND your edit to correct my post, it looks and reads much better now! I know I know, I have been here for years and STILL don't know all the tricks of the site, posting quotes etc! I just don't get much online time to learn!

I agree about the "white" population bowing and scrapping now but one must also take into consideration the fact that they/we are still being blamed for a system that many of us did not vote for (apartheid) and did not support. But the fact of the matter is that "apartheid" is still being used as a weapon of blame, constantly being thrown at us, I no longer live in S.A. but spent my much younger years there so I know of what I speak.

Also ignored is the fact that if so many white South Africans hadn't made their own "anti-apartheid" voices heard the movement would have been that much weaker! And they did it at much risk to themselves not only from the then ruling white regime but also at risk of being targeted by the militant "oppressed" population who wouldn't have given you a chance to explain that you were on "their side"!

I know that I foolishly put my own name on some lists by joining the the "End Conscription Campaign" as I did not believe in the war which was happening then and in doing so I also put my whole family at risk! As a much older person now I can understand why my family were not too pleased with me, back then I didn't care!

These sorts of things are not known by the many foreigners who now still point fingers at the white population of Southern Africa and blame us for apartheid! Meanwhile apartheid was and still is, in some cases, being practiced in their own countries, under another name but to all intents and purposes "apartheid"!

What we as Africans need to acknowledge and accept is that we are all AFRICANS, black and white together and the only way progress will be made on all fronts is TOGETHER!

Every word you wrote is correct.Yes,about the e-tolling,indeed had the minibus taxi industry been included in this,it would have been a moot point by now-but that is Why they gave the taxi drivers exemption-they would not Dare,can you imagine the riots and protests.

I don't think black South Africans are complacent,it is more a case of not seeing the True enemy of the people-their own government for the past 20 years.If they can only be made to understand that ousting the ANC would Never lead to a white/white dominated government again-they should seek rather a government aimed at truely being For the people,instead of being for self-enrichment,made up of representatives of all race groups.

That is why we have to pay through our necks for good medical insurance-one cannot go to the state hospitals,its like playing russian roulette with your very life-and my husband's salary package looks excellent on paper-before all the taxes+cost of med insurance-i will not even start on the obscene prices of almost everything here-its like there is some secret law that says Everything HAS to be an absolute rip-off-this is definitely a country that is best suited to tourists,when it comes to purchasing almost anything except bread+milk-just too expensive for locals.We are poor, while on paper,my husband earns an excellent salary.

I had a black friend for a few years,she told me straight out that she+her family was actually better off under the old regime-she could afford a more spacious house,and of course if they got sick they got top-rate medical care free or for next to nothing at the state hospitals which were excellent in those days-and the country was a whole lot safer-not that she wanted Apartheid back,but she wants a country being run like in those days,with the efficiency and safety for the population,only without the one ridiculous aspect,the Apartheid bit,actually having to use seperate facilities-that was the Only thing about the old regime she did not want back,aside from that she grievously missed living in a 1st world country with personal safety,excellent medical care,better schools for her children,lower prices,excellent infrastructure,etc etc etc.

But the ANC government will propably in a hundred years still blame the Apartheid system/the white man-as at the moment,it deflects attention away from the fact that they were handed an exceptional 1st world country-and in 20 years THEY let it decline to a 3rd world country.
How long is it gonna take them to get their act together???????????????????????????????????????????
Instead of blaming something decades in the past,for their own greed,corruption,ineptitude and mismanagement?

Having said all that,the way things are going,i am still grateful to be here,i still believe in that we,the people,CAN work together and to the benefit of all-but we are being impeded by a government that would waste billions on unnecessary sheet,steal and be corrupt,and instead of fixing what's wrong,blame the long dead Apartheid system.We need a government that will see that they need the whites too,we have an enormous storehouse of collective knowledge,experience+specialised skills-it is a pool only the most petty,idiotic and blind would not avail themselves of-it is also a WASTE,and a waste of formidable aid in getting our country running smoothly.I,being white,can of course not say anything,none of us can,because then we are being RACIST,that beloved and hardworking old race card.Ja wel...

reply to post by Raxoxane


Thanks Rax! Well said!

5fm Radio mentioned this in the news this morning... my blood boils, ey

I mentioned to my boss the exact sentiments in this e-mail - just boycott the system, just say NO! What are they going to do? Cripple the working class coz they refuse to pay yet MORE taxes!

Jeez, gimme a break

Posted this to Facebook, I've got one share so far. I hope all you S. Africans spread the word!!

wow I've never had such issues posting vids, so here's a link
www.youtube.com...

Basically, in 6 minutes it explains the history and background on the e-tolls, and talks about why it is a bad idea.

reply to post by Jimjolnir


Hi Jim thanks for responding, gets a bit disheartening knowing that are a number of S.A. people on ATS but they are so apathetic about their own lives they will either read the thread and the not respond or not even bother to read it at all, even though the e-toll is going to have a huge impact on their lives and their childrens futures as this will hit their budgets and thereby what they offer their kids!

As I said in a previous response I don't live in S.A. anymore, my family having moved to Namibia in the late 60's but Cape Town is my favourite city in the world and I've been to a few!

If this toll is enforced and tourists travelling in their own cars, like myself, have to start budgeting an extra couple of hundred or thousand rand to be able to enjoy the Garden Route or some such, I will have to make some decisions regarding further holidays in S.A., I may just spend more time in Namibia seeing a couple of the places here that I haven't seen yet!

All the best!

reply to post by wiser3


I agree it IS disheartening! I checked in earlier and expected the stars and flags to have grown, even a little, maybe even a comment or two!! but, nada.

I think there are too few people who realize the ramifications of this. And it's not just this, we allow the gov here to get out of hand, sure a lot of the times there's not a lot we can do, but this situation is different.

Rather than incurring further taxes and payment for admin, etc, in the form of e-tolls, I would much rather share the burden of the cost of the new road in JHB by increasing the fuel levy (I'd rather the government appropriated their funds correctly, but hey, I'm a nutter, right:roll

I'm at work right now, but there's a vid on youtube that I'll try post later, the guy discusses the court ruling to a T. It's easy to find as it was posted yesterday(?) it's about 14 minutes long, search 'e toll' and filter to search the past few days.

Okes are to complacent, hey boet
Maybe I too will relocate to Namibia

That vid I said I'd post

reply to post by Jimjolnir


Hi Jim

Thanks for the vid, I am still to watch it! I don't have any internet access at home as it is just too expensive here, so I only get to surf when the workload allows, luckily I work for my brother so internet access at work is not a problem!

I would encourage you to move to Namibia but fear that you may be disappointed as the situation here is as dire as there, mansions being built for the politicians, roads being created/tarred to their farms etc, etc, etc and I have no doubt that the e-toll question will raise it's ugly head here in the not too distant future as it seems that these are the only sorts of "example" that are followed. If one country in Africa has toll roads then they all end up having toll roads. If he can build himself a mansion and his government pays for it, then I can build myself a mansion and MY government can pay for it!

reply to post by Raxoxane

Apparently,Winnie Mandela is starting to see too,that apartheid cannot forever be blamed for South Africa's problems,20 years down the line,which is encouraging.

www.citypress.co.za...