With Zuma signing e-tolling into law, it simply implies that the government will do whatever they want to do, when they want to do it. Considering Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) has been preparing to take the case to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the President’s actions were either premature or disrespectful to the will of South Africans.
South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) and the government are yet to reveal the 33 sub-contractors involved in the collection of e-tolls, yet motorists are set to pay when using the improved freeways.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has continued to oppose the system ever since it was introduced. The party has now asked Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to investigate the controversial Gauteng e-toll collection contracts.
Since 2011, the public has continued to question why urban tolling was an effective way to pay for improvements made on Gauteng freeways; and the only explanation given was, “Other countries do it and it works,” another answer given by the government was, “We have to pay back the debt we made to improve the roads.”
Up until today, there hasn’t been a good reason why urban tolling is necessary, except reports of ANC being linked to companies involved in e-tolling.
If that is the case, where is the ‘selfless service’ the party always claims to continue to offer to the people of South Africa after 101 years? What happened to the will of the people? Surely the outcry from thousands of motorists across Gauteng has to be taken into consideration.
Nobody said they do not want to pay for the roads; it is the manner in which they are expected to pay for these roads which worries them. Considering that fuel levy is an alternative many are in favour of, why is the government not looking into that option?
Effect on the poor
According to the government, ‘e-tolling will not affect the poor’, however, opposition parties have continue to warn of the possible impact this will have on the poor.
A valid point worth considering is what will this do to commodities, I am sure we can all expect price increases as soon as e-tolls are implemented and this will affect the pockets of the poor and sooner or later… we could be hit by more strikes because of the poor not affording price increases.
We the public have an opportunity to demand the freedom we deserve, either by massive protest demanding the law to be reversed or going to the polls and demanding for a government which will serve the people.
