SA: Statement by Mmusi Maimane, DA Premier Candidate for Gauteng, on launch of DA billboards against e-tolls (21/11/2013)

21st November 2013

Today I launched new billboards in Gauteng with the message: “A vote for the DA is a vote against e-tolls”.

These billboards along highways mark the start of an intensive campaign to mobilize Gauteng voters against the government that brought us e-tolls.

I will take information on the costs of travelling all major routes in Gauteng directly to the people as part of a mass mobilization campaign against e-tolls.

The fact remains: people can’t afford e-tolls, no matter how much SANRAL says they can.

Many people are refusing to buy e-tags. This is their prerogative and their right. It is important to send out a strong message to the ANC that people don’t want e-tolls.

But, ultimately, the strongest message we can send out is at the ballot box. If people don’t want e-tolls, they must vote out the party that has unjustly forced this system on us.

We can fight the further roll-out of e-tolls if we are elected to government. And, make no mistake, the ANC has plans to roll out even more e-toll gantries on our highways.

I have announced plans to fight e-tolling as Premier, including a provincial referendum so that people can make their voice heard against e-tolls. As Premier, I am prepared to interdict the next phase of e-tolls that will see gantries go up on a further 300km of roads, including major routes like the Ben Schoeman Highway.

We have also gone to court to have the E-Tolling Bill sent back to Parliament on the basis that it was unconstitutionally passed.

E-tolling will kill jobs in Gauteng and put an extra financial burden on people at a time when they can least afford it.

Our message to the people is clear: We will put everything in to the fight against this unjust and unaffordable system, but we need your vote to do it.