The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is taken aback by the latest pronouncement by Luthuli House through ANC National Spokesperson Cde Pule Mabe that people of Gauteng must carry the debt of the e-tolling system. We are even shocked by his myopic comparison of the e-tolls system to the cell phone pay as you go system. Mabe should know by now that the ANC led government is not a private company and it is duty-bound to provide services to the people including quality roads.
Minister Mbalula promised us a process that will come out with a solution and it is astounding that Luthuli House is already telling us the outcomes of the process that is yet to start. This is a sign of arrogance and it also shows that some of the people entrusted with leadership positions are out of touch with reality.
COSATU Gauteng reiterates its long-standing position that building of roads is the responsibility of government and the people of Gauteng contributes through tax and fuel levy for this to be possible. The ANC should also appreciate that the people of Gauteng voted them in power on the 8th of May 2019 with the understanding that e-tolls will be scrapped. The latest statement is a slap in the face for all those who were promised that the solution will be found that does not include punishing motorists in this province.
This political zigzagging and policy flipflopping are the reasons the ANC has lost 12% of the electoral support over the last decade in the province.
COSATU in Gauteng will mobilize its members, Non-Governmental Organisations and business sympathetic to our call to scrap the e-tolls by closing all the toll roads in Gauteng. We further call all motorists in Gauteng to continue to boycott paying e-toll accounts including the 30% that is currently paying.
For more details contact:
Louisa Modikwe Gauteng COSATU Secretary – 066 182 2402
Gauteng Chairperson -Amos Monyela -079 493 5002