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The third round of public consultations and engagement on the tolling of the Gauteng freeway system and public transport improvements took place today, 5 April 2011 in Midrand, Johannesburg.

Led by Transport Director-General George Mahlalela, the Steering Committee consulted and engaged with stakeholders from the political fraternity and labour organisations.

Included among the stakeholders that had been invited to make presentations during today's consultations were the Afriforum, the Democratic Alliance, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, the South African Communist Party and the South African Roads Federation.

Neil Campbell, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature representing the Democratic Alliance (DA) indicated that the DA was not opposed to the principle of tolling except that in their view the programme was imposed on the motorist and the commuter. Campbell appealed to the Steering Committee to think of the ordinary member of society who is going to be affected by the tariffs.

Mike Schusler, an economist, made a presentation on behalf of the Afriforum and the Road Freight Association indicating the possible socio-economic impact the toll tariffs will have on motorists and commuters. Kallie Kriel of the Afriforum pointed that the toll fees in their current form were expensive, indicating the need for the possible establishment of a regulating body.

Speaking on behalf of the Gauteng provincial South African Communist Party, Pat Ntsobi acknowledged the improvements that have already been made on the province's freeway system but indicated that the organisation is opposed to the tolling because of the possible impact it would have on the poor and working class and also the need to understand the tariff structure.

Transport Director-General George Mahlalela reiterated that the submissions made by labour, political formations and other stakeholders were very valuable and would be treated with the critical consideration they deserve.

The Director-General indicated that the Steering Committee would be consulting with other stakeholders tomorrow, 6 April 2011 following which all the presentations and inputs would be consolidated into a single report. Upon this consolidation, all the stakeholders would be re-invited to be given feedback.

A consolidated report will also be presented to Transport Minister S'busiso Ndebele and Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane by the Steering Committee before the end of April.

The Steering Committee was appointed by the Transport Minister to review the Gauteng freeway toll tariff structure and to explore various options in order to reduce the impact of the e-tolling cost on road users and to date, scores of submissions have been received from organised formations and members of civil society by the Steering Committee since comments and proposal were invited.