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The Congress of South African Trade Unions is bitterly disappointed at the government’s negative response to Wednesday’s massive show of opposition to the e-tolling of Gauteng’s highways. The people have spoken, but their government has not listened.

It must surely be obvious by now that there is no support for making motorists pay for using existing roads which they have paid for over the years through their taxes.

At a time when petrol prices are going up, the fuel levy has been raised, electricity tariffs are due to rise by a minimum of 25% and food prices will rise even faster because of the cost of transporting goods on the tolled highways, the government want to make motorists pay up to R550 a month just to travel to work and back, or visit family and friends.

For workers on R5000 a month or less, R550 is more than a tenth of their monthly income!

The people of Gauteng will have become even more determined to resist the tolls after hearing provocative statements by minsters and officials, threatening to criminalise those who do not pay and even confiscate their licences.

We particularly deplore statements suggesting that not buying e-tags is a criminal offence. Buying an e-tag is not a requirement but merely one optional way of paying the tolls. These threats are nothing but an attempt to intimidate motorists into buying e-tags and will make people even angrier and more determined to resist.

COSATU has always been, and remain, ready to talk with government about alternative ways to pay for the road improvements. We have however always made it clear that if there is no change in policy and the tolls go ahead, we will again mobilise more mass protest action. Meanwhile COSATU is still urging motorists not to buy e-tags and not pay the bills for travelling on tolled roads.

The federation will also continue to campaign for better, safer and more affordable and reliable public transport as the only real way to reduce the congestion on our public roads.