Johannesburg - The DA wants the proposed toll tariffs on Gauteng highways to either be halved or scrapped completely, an Alexandra resident said on Saturday.
“We would be happy with 20 cents per km for light motor vehicles, because its always better to get a 50 percent discount,” Shadrack Mkhonto said.
Members of the Democratic Alliance gathered at the Pan Africa Mall in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg on Saturday to protest against the proposed tariffs.
Protesters, dressed in blue DA T-shirts, held up posters reading: “Hoot for a toll free GP (Gauteng province)”.
Most of the taxis and motorists driving past the crowd hooted in agreement.
Protesters also handed out pamphlets that instructed people on how to campaign against the tolls.
Similar protests were taking place in Nigel in the East Rand and Soshanguve in Pretoria.
DA Gauteng leader Janet Semple said the economic effects of the tolls was fully understood by the majority of people.
“Some of the effects of the toll roads are increased costs, from small businesses to those transporting food from other provinces as well as services...the cost of living will go up because of the tolls,” she said.
Semple said even though people could use taxis which would not be affected by the tolls, they would have to pay more for other services that have to make up for the money used on tolls.
Protester Chester Masoga said government was not being fair by proposing the tolls.
“Government does not communicate with us, it's as if they are doing their own thing...we are the ones that have to travel to our families in other provinces which is going to be too expensive for us.” she said.
A passer-by said he did not think the protests were necessary.
“Who do they think is going to pay for these roads that have been fixed? If they want to use them they must pay.”
Semple said similar protests would continue across the province and one big protest would be held closer to the implementation of the tolls.
DA leader Helen Zille was expected to lead the protest march.
Cabinet approved reduced toll tariffs in August for the N1 highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria. These were expected to come into effect next year.
Motorcyclists are to pay 24 cents a kilometre, light motor vehicles 40 cents a kilometre, medium vehicles R1 and longer vehicles R2 a kilometre.
Taxis and buses are exempted. - Sapa