Cross-border operators feel the impact of e-tolls

Gauteng’s e-tolls have had
far-reaching consequences
- impacting heavily on crossborder
operators as well.
This is the word from several
trucking companies operating
in Botswana who say the
increased tolls have seen freight
rates in the country escalate.
“Countries outside of South
Africa’s borders are paying the
price,” said one source. “Goods
destined for
Botswana
coming
in
through
the
Port of
Durban
are also
tolled and
that means increased
prices all round.”
Operators said it was an
additional logistics cost that
affected all cargo heading
north and travelling through
Gauteng.
“The cost of logistics in
southern Africa is already high.
These are increased costs we
can ill afford – especially in
markets such as Botswana that
are stagnant at present and
where the impact of the slow
economy is being felt by the
industry,” said one operator.
It is however not only tolls in
and around Gauteng that are
affecting these operators.
“There is a stretch of road
near Swartruggens that is in a
terrible condition. One would
assume if you are paying tolls
that the roads would be in mint
condition, but that is not the
case everywhere and so over
and above the toll there is the
impact of bad roads on one’s
vehicle. It really is just not
acceptable.”
He said containing costs
was imperative in the current
economic climate, but it was
becoming increasingly difficult.
“There is not much that
we can do to lobby the South
African government in terms
of tolls – and as a landlocked
country we are dependent on
the Port of Durban. It is a
difficult situation as we have no
choice but just to continue to
pay up.”