Big drive against e-toll

JOHANNESBURG SOUTH – A crowd of Gauteng citizens and motorists met at the Panorama Flea Market before they went out for a drive to voice their disapproval of the e-tolling system on Saturday September 27.

The peaceful drive was led by many bikers and JMPD traffic officers, who were there to ensure everything went smoothly.

Many of the motorists were excited and hopeful that SANRAL and the Gauteng government would conclude that the e-tolling system was not what people of the province wanted.

Rob and Wendy, who were among the organisers of the event, said e-tolling is failing and they remain proudly e-tag-free and that e-tolling affects not only motorists but everyone.

“The reason why e-tolling affects everyone is that everybody buys food and the prices of the food are increased because our supermarkets pay e-tolling to transport the food. Registered taxis pay a certain fee, but those who are not registered do not pay. Now that makes me wonder why do the people transporting elderly citizens have to pay? Why do the people transporting the disabled have to pay?” asked Rob.

The drive made Howard Dembovsky, from Justice Project South Africa (JPSA), very happy, because it is not everyday that people come from all parts of the country to unite for one thing. He was very proud to see how many people showed up to show their disapproval of e-tolling.

“This system is not working. If SANRAL and the government wanted to prosecute, they could have done so long ago, they had enough time to do so. There will only be one winner here and that is democracy,” said Howard, making the crowd cheer.

Citizens are encouraged to send their complaints to etollspanel@gauteng.gov.za so that they are received in one large volume.

The drive started at the Panorama Flea Market and went on to the Johannesburg ring roads, with e-tag-free motorists driving through the gantries.