Tuesday’s drive-slow by Cosatu members in Pretoria and surrounding highways in protest of e-tolls did not cause major traffic disruptions.
About 30 cars, bearing large red stickers with messages such as “tolling Gauteng highways must be stopped” and “stop the privatisation of public highways” departed from End Street in Hatfield and slowly made their way to the Fountains circle via the N4 east, N1 south and the R21.
Metro Police spokesman Isaac Mahamba said several cars joined along the way and about 60 cars completed the drive-slow.
As the convoy approached the Kings Highway bridge near the Lynnwood off-ramp, hooting, and flashing headlights, many drivers reduced speed, hooted and waved in support.
The convoy, which took up two lanes of the highway, was accompanied by about 20 metro police officers on motorcycles and in police vehicles. Traffic moved freely in the other three lanes.
Mahamba said although traffic along the route was disrupted, it was nothing compared to the major traffic back-ups caused by the drive-slow earlier this year. He said several off-ramps along the route had to be closed for a short period to allow the convoy to pass.
Mahamsba said there were no incidents of violence.
“I can confirm that members dispersed peacefully at the Fountains Circle,” he said.
Cosatu provincial secretary Dumisane Dakile said he was satisfied with the turnout.
“So many people joined today and we had tremendous support from road users along the way.
“We are planning more activities in protest of e-tolling in the near future - this is not the end of the road,” he said.
The fight against e-tolling will continue in the Supreme Court of appeal in September.
Meanwhile, the Opposition To Urban Tolling Alliance has been involved in a lengthy court battle with South African National Roads Agency Limited about e-tolling.
Outa spokesman Ari Seirlis said the alliance was grateful to groups of concerned citizens making bold statements in the public.
“We are not saying we are in favour of public disruptions but this is the biggest public outcry in the past 20 years by South African citizens.
“People are taking their own time to make public dissent and that says something about how strongly they feel about the issue,” he said. - Pretoria News