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E-tolls lead to South Africa traffic jams E-tolls lead to South Africa traffic jams
(35 minutes later)
South Africa's contentious toll road system has opened around Johannesburg, with huge traffic jams after motorists flocking to use alternative routes.South Africa's contentious toll road system has opened around Johannesburg, with huge traffic jams after motorists flocking to use alternative routes.
Opposition parties, trade unions and churches are calling for a boycott of the much-delayed system, saying it is unfair and badly designed.Opposition parties, trade unions and churches are calling for a boycott of the much-delayed system, saying it is unfair and badly designed.
The "e-toll" system affects the ring road around Johannesburg and the motorway to the capital, Pretoria.The "e-toll" system affects the ring road around Johannesburg and the motorway to the capital, Pretoria.
The government says the toll is need to pay for improved roads.The government says the toll is need to pay for improved roads.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Johannesburg says the issue has become increasingly political just months away from a general election.The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Johannesburg says the issue has become increasingly political just months away from a general election.
'Highway robbery''Highway robbery'
Traffic reports around Johannesburg and Pretoria said there were bumper-to-bumper jams on suburban roads.Traffic reports around Johannesburg and Pretoria said there were bumper-to-bumper jams on suburban roads.
A police spokesperson described the congestion as "chock-a-block" and added that it had not eased up since early morning, the Sapa news agency reports.A police spokesperson described the congestion as "chock-a-block" and added that it had not eased up since early morning, the Sapa news agency reports.
Critics say the e-toll is unfair because South Africans already pay a fuel tax, VAT and existing tolls - some roads now have both e-toll gantries and a conventional, manned toll-gate.Critics say the e-toll is unfair because South Africans already pay a fuel tax, VAT and existing tolls - some roads now have both e-toll gantries and a conventional, manned toll-gate.
Motorists are encouraged to pay a monthly fee to use the e-toll roads, or pay a far higher daily rate. Motorists who register pay a minimum monthly fee of 550 rand ($54; £33) to use the roads, while those who do not register pay up to three times as much if they do not pay within seven days.
Their number plates are scanned by gantries over the toll roads and bills sent to their homes if they have not registered and paid in advance. Their car number plates are scanned by gantries over the toll roads and bills sent to their homes if they have not paid in advance.
Motorists will pay a minimum of 550 rand ($54; £33) to use some motorways each month, while those who do not register will pay up to three times as much if they do not pay their outstanding fees within seven days.
Local organisations have campaigned unsuccessfully for several years to have the project stopped, even launching a last-minute legal case, which was rejected.Local organisations have campaigned unsuccessfully for several years to have the project stopped, even launching a last-minute legal case, which was rejected.
Critics have described the system as "highway robbery".Critics have described the system as "highway robbery".
The government says the e-toll is the only way it could have afforded to improve the congested roads around the commercial capital, Johannesburg.The government says the e-toll is the only way it could have afforded to improve the congested roads around the commercial capital, Johannesburg.
The South Africa National Roads Agency (Sanral) has urged motorists not to break the law or face living with a criminal record.The South Africa National Roads Agency (Sanral) has urged motorists not to break the law or face living with a criminal record.