SATAWU is not surprised by the delusional ranting of Mr Nazir Alli, Chief Executive of SA National Roads Agency Limited ( SANRAL) that the Gauteng e-tolling system will benefit motorists. We have long expected this since February, when Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele announced tariffs for toll roads in Gauteng.
How many times is SANRAL going to release this statement as a way to deflect from the real question: Why are we being tolled for something we're already being taxed for and which until recently the government was able to finance from the fiscus and existing tax structures?
This indeed demonstrated the complete arrogance of SANRAL & the Department of Transport. This "e-tolling monster" is economically disastrous, lacked public participation in the planning phases and demonstrates the unilateral heavy handedness that has come to characterise the Department of Transport dealings with the public and organised labour when it comes to decision-making on matters affecting the working class.
As SATAWU we would like to reiterate our position that these tolls must be scrapped. We remain committed and resolute to Cosatu's earlier call for a general strike if government pushes ahead with the Gauteng e-Tolling system. It is completely unacceptable to slap such high tolls on city highways on which commuters are forced to travel each day.
With the prices of basic items such as petrol, food, municipal services and electricity already threatening to sink many households, tolls at this level will be an unbearable burden for most families.
In a country without a proper public transport system, such tolls are quite simply an abuse of consumers' rights to affordable services. While estimates of the knock-on effect of the toll on transport costs run as high as 20 percent, one must never forget that the big losers in this whole equation are once again the small, medium and micro enterprises.
SATAWU has consistently called on the government to retain and introduce adequate measures to ensure that public transport is improved in the national interest. We repeat this call again today. Government must finally put in place a national transport body, as per its policy, that could introduce an integrated public transport.
We have noted the new tendency of non-consultation by the Department of Transport regarding this matter. If our call is not heeded SATAWU will have no choice but to embark on a series of hard hitting protest action, marches and finally mobilise the support of other unions and the public to bring down this monster. We calling on all our members to get ready for action.
Statement issued by Reagoikanya (Rea) Molopyane, Satawu Spokesperson, July 21 2011
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