Copperbelt mineral exports dry up after hike in cross-border tolls
Several haulage companies have stopped exporting minerals mined in the DRC and are restricting themselves to transport operations within the country, claiming that tolls imposed when crossing into Zambia are prohibitively high.
Motorists driving from Johannesburg to Durban will pay R272 each way, when the new toll fees come into effect.
Those using the N1 from Johannesburg to Cape Town will spend R197 at the four toll gates, while motorists travelling from Pretoria to Polokwane will pay R184 at the four toll gates.
Sanral allocates money to provinces and municipalities to do maintenance on the roads, and sometimes there is a difference in the upkeep.
“We’ve had motorists say what doesn’t Sanral take over the roads so that they all have the same standards. The difference is the maintenance. It looks so minor but very critical.”
It is said that the annual adjustments are done in line with the consumer price index (CPI) as obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA).
The toll tariff hike comes amid increase in the cost of food, electricity as well as petrol.
