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The Congress of South African Trade Unions warmly welcomes the news that e-tolling in Gauteng will not commence during February 2012.

This is a significant victory for the millions of residents of Gauteng who have expressed their total opposition to this attempt to force them to pay huge amounts of extra money just to travel on the province’s highways.

It is a victory for COSATU and its affiliates whose members faced the prospect of paying out hundreds of extra rands just to travel to and from work.

It is victory for Gauteng consumers who faced massive increased prices as a result of the extra cost of transporting goods to the shops being passed on to shoppers.

The decision follows a meeting between Transport Minister Comrade Sibusiso Ndebele and the board of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

Sanral agreed to “address the current stakeholder concerns and issues raised in the petitions submitted to the Minister”. It says it is “committed to meeting all its obligations to the stakeholders, and is exploring different modalities”.

The Sanral Board will present their findings to the Minister, following which the Minister will present a report to Cabinet. We urge the minister and cabinet to take note of the mass opposition to these tolls and instruct Sanral to abandon them for good.

Meanwhile we continue to urge motorists not to register with Sanral or buy e-tags, and our members remain mobilised for a campaign of mass action if today’s decision is reversed.

The federation calls upon government to prioritise the roll-out of efficient, reliable, affordable and safe public transport for all the people of South Africa.