17 Jun 2014

Government is considering increasing vehicle and license taxes in order to meet the cost of building roads.

“We intend to increase tax for vehicles and licenses so that we can collect more money towards the construction of more roads,” Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said.

Addressing a kgotla meeting at Werda in the Kgalagadi District on June 16, Minister Molefhi stated that it was also so costly to maintain both tarred and gravel roads that it might be necessary to review the current fuel tax that motorists pay.

He told the meeting that government paid P1.4bn annually to maintain roads. The minister stated that the motoring taxation was too little to meet the current road construction and maintenance costs.

As such he appealed with motorists to support any suggestion seeking the increment of the levy on fuel.  He said a kilometre of road cost P7m to construct and that with the economic recession weighing heavily on government, the impact in constructing planned roads was way too much.

He, therefore, expressed concern that some people still stole road fences and gates. On other issues, the minister said the government wanted to develop road networks to ranches and rural areas, where farmers are concentrated.

The residents had complained bitterly about the bad state of Werda/Bray road, requesting government to tarmac it, especially because tourists also used it. The residents were also concerned about Kokotsha/Tsabong road, saying it was too narrow and had many potholes.

They also complained about government vehicles, which take too long to be mended once taken to CTO for repair. They said the situation hampered village developments.  ends