The Gauteng Legislature has received several petitions expressing dissatisfaction with the controversial e-tolling system.
It says these petitions have been tabled before the standing committee on petitions at the Legislature.
“Various organisations representing millions of workers, communities and a political party have submitted similar petitions with regards to the toll gates around Gauteng.”
The petitions were submitted by Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu), SA National Civic Organisation and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The committee has now decided to handle the petitions as one petition and will subject it to the petitions process of the Gauteng Legislature from now on.
The committee says it will, within a space of 30 days, convene hearings in a quest to resolve the impasse on the toll system. “Within that period, responses will be sought from the provincial government's transport development department.”
Appalling decision
The DA is pleased the committee will hear petitions within the next 30 days.
“It is important that all voices are heard on this important issue and that authorities are held to account for an appalling decision that will hit the poor the hardest by crippling economic growth in this province,” says Gauteng transport spokesperson Neil Campbell.
The DA earlier this month handed in a petition with 9 800 names against the tolls, and Campbell says this has since grown to 11 795 on the Web site www.stophighwayrobbery.co.za.
The concern, as stated on the Web site, is: “We, the undersigned, demand that the Gauteng highway toll system be halted. The principle of tolling existing urban roads is wrong. The costs of these tolls are too high, too complicated and unaffordable.”
“We call on all interested parties to prepare submissions for these hearings. These tolls can be stopped if we all protest loudly enough. They can be reversed if there is enough public pressure,” says Campbell.
E-toll demonstrations?
Fees initially gazetted for the e-toll system in February were suspended due to public pressure.
Cabinet last month approved reduced tariffs for e-tolling in Gauteng, which dictate motorcycles (Class A1) with e-tags will pay 24c/km; light vehicles (Class A2) will pay 40c/km; medium vehicles (Class B) 100c/km; and “longer” vehicles (Class C) 200c/km.
Qualifying commuter taxis (Class A2) and commuter busses (Class B) are completely exempt from the e-toll system.
The reduction for light vehicles without e-tags saw a drop from 66c/km, to 58c/km; and from R3.95 for heavy vehicles without e-tags to R2.95.
The e-tolling project is an open road, multilane toll infrastructure that allows tolls to be charged without drivers having to stop. There are no physical booths.
The system is expected to be implemented over the next four months.
However, Cosatu says the concept of e-tolling has not been accepted.
It also said it will march and plan demonstrations, pickets and stay-aways, if the tolls are not scrapped.
“We are confident that thousands of other Gauteng residents will be joining in these protests as well.”
Related stories:
Thousands sign e-toll petition
DA requests e-toll contract
E-tolling in five months
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