The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has vowed to continue its fight against government's e-toll system - which it says is tantamount to privatisation of public highways - despite the recent legal blow to the case against it.
Cosatu president Sidumo Dlamini says the union will stage a national day of action against e-tolls and for better and fully integrated public highways.
The Supreme Court of Appeal's dismissal of the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance's (Outa's) bid to stop the implementation of open road tolling "will make no difference to Cosatu's unwavering campaign against [e-tolling]", says Dlamini.
He says Cosatu's anti-toll stance was never primarily based on the legality of the tolls - "but on a fundamental political principle - that our roads are a public asset, already paid for through taxation and the fuel levy, and motorists should not, therefore, have to pay again to drive on these public highways".
While details are yet to be released on what the national day of action will entail, Cosatu says it will take place within the first two weeks of November.
Meanwhile, controversial former ANC Youth League president Julius Malema has also spoken out against the government's e-toll system. At the launch yesterday of SA's newest political party - the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) - Malema said his party, which plans to contest elections next year against president Jacob Zuma and the ANC, would fight against e-tolls. He called on motorists not to buy e-tags.
Emotions in Gauteng have been running high over the news that e-tolling is set to go ahead regardless of what appears to be widespread opposition to the system. Zuma signed the Transport and Related Matters Amendment Bill (e-toll Bill) on 21 September - news that emerged four days later, during Outa's appeal. The piece of legislation gives e-tolls the green light.
With e-toll tariffs having been published last week, the Department of Transport and SA National Roads Agency need to allow 30 days for public comment - after which a commencement date will be announced. Transport minister Dipuo Peters has said the system would be live by the end of the year.
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