Tolls: The truth about Cosatu's "opposition"

Today the DA releases conclusive proof that Tony Ehrenreich, Cosatu's provincial secretary, led the ANC caucus in Cape Town to a unanimous vote against the DA-led City's decision to fight SANRAL's proposed tolls in the Western Cape.

Mr Ehrenreich claims he cannot recall voting against the DA-led City of Cape Town's decision to fight tolls.

Minutes of City of Cape Town council meetings show Mr. Ehrenreich to be untruthful and hypocritical.

Here are the facts:

On the 1 September 2011 the ANC caucus, led by Tony Ehrenreich, unanimously voted against the City's decision to declare an intergovernmental dispute with Sanral.

On 8 December 2011 the ANC abstained from voting for the City's recommendation that the intergovernmental dispute around toll roads be extended to the national ministers of Transport and Environmental Affairs.

As recently as two weeks ago they opposed the City's plan of action to oppose the toll roads in a portfolio committee meeting for Transport, roads and stormwater.

Mr Ehrenreich toes the ANC line of supporting tolls in council, but schizophrenically tells the public COSATU is opposing the tolls.

The truth is that the DA has actively been fighting the N1/N2 Winelands Toll Project for the past decade - in the City council - as well as at provincial government level.

We will take this fight to the highest court in the land if necessary.

The public must not be fooled by politicians like Mr Ehrenreich who want to save face for the ANC while his party uses national government to empty ordinary people's pockets with expensive tolls.

Statement issued by Ivan Meyer, DA Leader in the Western Cape, April 17 2013

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter