Gauteng residents who use Pretoria’s various toll plazas daily will continue to pay in full, with no plans currently in place to credit or discount tolls for frequent local users.
This was revealed by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, who was responding to questions posed by David Christie Ross of the Democratic Alliance (DA).
Ross asked the minister about the timelines for finalising concessions for motorists who use the Stormvoël, Zambesi, Doornpoort, and Pumulani Mainline plazas daily.
These gateways, which form part of the Bakwena N1N4 Toll Concession (Bakwena), are located in areas that were once far less densely populated but have since seen considerable residential growth.
As a result, residents in the northern suburbs of Pretoria can accumulate more than R500 per month in toll fees merely driving to work every day.
In other words, residents are essentially being penalised for commuting, despite often travelling much shorter distances than other motorists in the province.
As a result, residents have called for the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) to implement discounts or credit concessions for frequent local users.
Minister Creecy noted that the roads agency is “dealing with the matter through the contractual enforcement mechanisms available to it”.
These include engagements with an independent engineer, legal advisors, and the issuing of the required contractual notices and remedy processes
“No final discount structure has yet been approved,” the minister revealed.
“Any discount, rebate or credit structure for frequent local users must be determined and implemented within the concession agreement and financial model, and will depend on the outcome of the current contractual and legal processes.”
Creecy explained that economic impact studies were undertaken as far back as 1997, which formed part of the initial intention-to-toll and public engagement processes for the project.
“No further local economic impact study specifically addressing the current concerns of local residential users and light industrial areas north of Tshwane has been undertaken,” she admitted.
“Sanral is nevertheless considering the concerns of affected local users through the contractual engagement and enforcement processes.”
An ongoing battle for motorists
In May 2025, Bakwena and Sanral engaged with stakeholders on the concerns raised by residents of Pretoria and surrounding areas regarding toll costs, access and the impact on daily travel.
Concerned residents demanded fairer tolling arrangements for those who must use tolled routes to access their homes.
Their requests included a discount, rebate or credit via the e-tag system, depending on what is feasible within the concession agreement’s commercial constraints.
Following consultations, Bakwena CEO Simon Everitt noted that the concessionaire was committed to ensuring that toll infrastructure serves the needs of communities, while maintaining financial sustainability.
At the time, Sanral and Bakwena committed to addressing community concerns during a workshop, as these are complex and require the careful consideration of operational, regulatory and financial factors.
“We are committed to ongoing consultation with community representatives throughout this process,” said Everitt.
A year later, residents, including Renier Wolfswinkel, a solar power business owner in Annlin, remain concerned that issues are not being addressed.
Earlier this year, he argued that the decision to scrap e-tolls while keeping the Stormvoël and Zambesi plazas operational has created a two-tier system for citizens living in Gauteng.
Wolfswinkel claimed it is unreasonable to expect motorists to use alternate routes for their commute, as arterial roads around Pretoria have become heavily congested for this very reason, and increase travel time.
He recommended decommissioning the Stormvoël plaza, as it is now situated in an area that impacts multiple residential zones, and suggested a 100% discount for registered Zambesi plaza commuters.
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