There is a lack of transparency in the introduction of the Gauteng e-tolling system, Fedusa said.
|||There is a lack of transparency in the introduction of the Gauteng e-tolling system, Fedusa said on Friday.
“Our main concern regarding the process as it unfolded is the total lack of transparency,” Federation of Unions of SA (Fedusa) general secretary Dennis George said in an open letter to President Jacob Zuma.
“This lack of transparency continued since the first indication of possible costs to road users, and we believe there is still a lack of a clear and open agenda on the matter.”
The public was initially led to believe that Gauteng roads were being renovated in preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
This was because there was no indication or proper prior consultation about the future tolling.
“While we note the civil disobedience route taken by many role-players in our country, Fedusa will never urge its members to break the law,” George said.
He recalled Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's 2012 budget speech, which promised “the further development of efficient and cost-effective public transport systems”.
George said private-public partnerships similar to the Gautrain were needed as alternatives to the e-toll roads.
The R20 billion spent on Gauteng road improvements was a welcome boost to the economy and productivity.
“However, we also need to note the general dissatisfaction of our members and other citizens in the increased financial burden caused by the e-tolling process, as well as the hopes that alternative funding mechanisms can be identified,” he said.
George called on Zuma to meet business, government, communities and Fedusa on the public's concerns before the tolls were implemented on April 30.
On Thursday, Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) spokesman Patrick Craven said a task team was meeting with the African National Congress on the e-tolling system.
On Tuesday, Cosatu announced it was planning “the mother of all protests” against e-tolling. It said it would encourage its two million members to join rallies, marches, demonstrations and night vigils across the country on April 23. - Sapa