E-toll dispensation divides alliance

Wayne Duvenage of Outa, joins protesters. Photo: Paballo Thekiso

Wayne Duvenage of Outa, joins protesters. Photo: Paballo Thekiso

Published May 24, 2015

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Johannesburg - The controversial e-tolling system is already dividing the alliance in Gauteng, with Cosatu expressing its rejection of the ANC-led provincial government’s decision to press ahead with its implementation.

This comes as the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa) considers legal action to challenge what it believes are regulations that will not pass constitutional muster.

The Gauteng SACP, which is holding its provincial congress this weekend, is expected to discuss the latest developments regarding the e-tolls, announced by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng Premier David Makhura this week.

Ramaphosa announced the new dispensation for the implementation of the e-tolls system to include reduced tariffs for motorists and discounts on motorists’ outstanding e-toll bills.

The new dispensation will also see the linking of the e-toll system to the vehicle licence system, which means motorists with outstanding debts will not be able to renew their licences.

This has been met with resistance by Cosatu in the province, which remains vehemently opposed to what it terms an attempt to privatise public roads.

Cosatu provincial secretary Dumisani Dakile told Independent Media on Saturday that the new dispensation announced this week was tantamount to “a reduced dosage of poison, but with more lethal substances”.

According to Dakile, the provincial structure would get direction from the Cosatu central executive committee, which is set to meet this week and adopt an official position on the matter.

However, he said the initial feeling among Cosatu and ANC members in the province was that not much had changed from the initial dispensation.

He said they were also concerned that the implementation of the e-tolls would be a weapon for the opposition to use against the ANC in the local government elections next year.

“The opposition is going to run with this thing like they did last year, and the impact this time might be even worse,” said Dakile.

Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee member Sochayile Khanyile said the ANC in the province was satisfied that the new dispensation would address the concerns the party had about e-tolls in their initial form.

 

Outa’s Wayne Duvenage said on Saturday they were exploring their options, which would include legal action if necessary.

“We will not go into it willy-nilly, but we have already picked up many changes to regulations and legislation which will not pass constitutional muster, and those will be challenged.

“But we will be guided by the public. If there is funding to pursue the legal route, it will definitely be pursued.

“For now, we are still encouraging the civil disobedience that has so far seen this e-tolls nonsense failing,” said Duvenage.

The Sunday Independent

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