TLHABANE NEWS ONLINE

E-tolling to go ahead, discussions to continue 

Pretoria - Government is forging ahead with the implementation of the e-tolling system on Gauteng's freeways but discussions with stakeholders to explain the move will continue, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said on Thursday. 

Speaking in Cape Town following this week's ordinary Cabinet meeting, Chabane said government had noted the overwhelming number of people who turned out for the protest marches organised by the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) on Wednesday against e-tolling and labour broking, but the decision to implement the system on 30 April has not changed.

"Government has over a long period, consulted various stakeholders in business and civil society on the issue of e-tolling on Gauteng upgraded freeways and these discussions will continue," Chabane said.

Cosatu wants the government to scrap the system while it is also demanding the ban of labour brokers. Yesterday, the union's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi argued that e-tolling in the province would seriously affect the poor, a claim that has been challenged by government.

Chabane said: "The fact that government has taken steps to mitigate in the form of R6.8 billion from National Treasury is recognition of the importance to reduce the burden not only on the poor but all the affected road users."

As a result of the Treasury's intervention toll fees were slashed by almost half of the original price.

The reduced fees will see cars with e-tags pay 30c per km, motorcycles charged 20c per km, while non-articulated trucks pay 75c per km and articulated trucks will be charged R1.51 per km.