Johannesburg – The month-long consultation process to probe the socio-economic impact of the e-tolling system on Gauteng residents has kicked off in Midrand with robust presentations from organised labour.
Through the consultation process, the advisory panel aims to solicit new views on the economic, social and environmental impacts of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) and e-tolls.
All the hearings will take place at the Gautrain offices at 44 Grand Central Boulevard, Grand Central Extension 1, Midrand, from 8:30am – 4pm.
National Council of Trade Unions’ Head of Policy and Project, Thulani Khumalo, made the first presentation on Wednesday.
He appealed to the panel to send the socio-economic impact of Gauteng e-tolls back to the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) for further consultation.
“This issue must come back to Nedlac, so that stakeholders using the Nedlac protocol and Nedlac Act must further consult on this issue with possible regulatory amendments to the National Road Traffic Act,” said Khumalo.
He said Nactu believed that the introduction of the e-toll system happened without proper consultation with the citizens of Gauteng in general and other stakeholders with national interest on the issue.
Gauteng Provincial Secretary of Cosatu, Dumisani Dakile, said the Gauteng e-tolling system perpetuated inequality, poverty and unemployment.
“As Cosatu, we view the e-tolls as a burden to the poor and the next generation and we are opposed to e-tolling system as we’ve already paid for this through tax.”
He said the e-tolls added to the burden of workers, who were being asked to pay to travel on highways, which were previously free of charge.
Dakile said Cosatu respected the consultation process started by Premier David Makhura.
On Thursday and Friday, the panel will hear representations from business.
Representations will be heard from civil society from 1 - 3 September.
The advisory panel will hand over their report to the Premier at the end of November. The report is expected to be in the form of analysis and recommendations grounded in substantial evidence. - SAnews.gov.za
