Calls for a referendum around Gauteng e-tolls are nothing but knee-jerk nonsense, says Paul Mashatile.
Johannesburg - There is a new buzzword in the conversation around Gauteng’s e-tolls: “referendum”.
Opposition parties have suddenly latched on to the notion that a referendum is needed to resolve the intricate challenges that exist with the implementation of e-tolls, and funding of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) in general.
But the ANC in Gauteng – perhaps because we are conscious of the broader responsibilities around developing public infrastructure, and of the realities of actual governance – see things completely differently.
In our view, calls for a referendum are nothing but knee-jerk nonsense.
We say this for two reasons.
On a broad level, it is not wise to govern a province with the political and economic relevance of Gauteng purely on the basis of referendums. Decisions which affect the national and provincial economy, and which have major implications for a range of stakeholders inside and outside the province, cannot simply be decided on the basis of a “yes” or “no” answer.
The answers to the questions raised about e-tolling, and possible alternatives, are complex. Our freeways are a valuable national asset, and are central to economic growth, the development of a viable transport network, and the quality of life of millions of people. Their future cannot simply be decided by ticking a box.
On a more specific level: We believe a process which is far superior to a referendum has already taken place, in the form of the advisory panel appointed by Premier David Makhura to assess the socio-economic impact of the GFIP and e-tolls. As the premier clearly explained in the provincial legislature this week, the advisory panel undertook an extensive consultation process, with widespread public participation, to enable all stakeholders to air their views on e-tolls and the GFIP. The people, therefore, have already spoken.
It is worth remembering that the advisory panel received unprecedented levels of interest from a wide range of stakeholders and, in our view, represents the opinions of affected Gauteng residents.
It is more scientific and, in our view, fundamentally more constructive than simply ticking a box.
And at no stage was it, or its work, rejected by the people who now clamour for a referendum. They in fact participated and gave their input to the process.
For those members of the political opposition who suffer from short-term memory loss: The advisory panel conducted thorough consultations with stakeholders and held a number of public meetings in communities. It also commissioned research and convened round-table discussions with a number of experts.
On top of this, various organised formations and members of the public made written and oral submissions on how they are affected by e-tolls, and proposed wide-ranging solutions to the problems identified.
It is clear, therefore, that the people of Gauteng have already spoken. They have identified the problems, they have suggested possible solutions, and their voice has been heard and acted upon. They have already gone far beyond any box-ticking exercise. And what have the people of Gauteng said about e-tolls?
What came through very clearly is the fact that the e-toll system is unaffordable and inequitable. The current e-toll system places a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income households. On top of that, it is clear that it is cumbersome from an administrative point of view.
The people of Gauteng have also assisted the panel in recognising that the current system needs to be reviewed to address questions of affordability, equity, fairness, administrative simplicity and sustainability.
These views have been considered by the panel, endorsed by the premier, and have been forwarded to national government for assessment.
So, while opposition parties are still thinking of ways to make political mileage out of public discontent, the train has already left the station. The system is already being reviewed and will change. The “voice of the people” is now the core issue being discussed by an inter-governmental team headed by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Not only have the people spoken – their voice has been heard, and is being acted upon. This, ultimately, is why we say calls for a referendum by opposition politicians are just populist nonsense.
They will not distract us from our ultimate objective when it comes to the question of e-tolls: to ensure the development of a better dispensation which will mitigate any negative impact on the people of the province – ensuring the provision of world-class infrastructure, funded through the best user-pay model available.
You don’t need a referendum to recognise the wisdom of that.
* Paul Mashatile is chairman of the ANC in Gauteng.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
The Star