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UP IN ARMS: Cosatu members and others marched in Johannesburg in March 2012, calling for stopping the implementation of the e-tolling system. PHOTO MOHAU MOFOKENG

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Yesterday another meeting was held by the two parties, but Cosatu later released a statement about its planned April 30 strike to fight the e-tolling system.

The labour federation said it would blockade major freeways in Gauteng and other parts of the country to protest against the launching of the system, which it has branded "highway robbery".

The Sowetan understands that Cosatu wants the ANC to persuade its government to scrap the system that will see motorists paying to use certain national roads in Gauteng.

It has also proposed that the government should find money to pay off the debt incurred while building the roads, but the ANC refused, saying the government could not divert funds intended for other projects.

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said yesterday's meeting was a follow-up, but refused to give details of the meeting.

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza said he could not comment because there was a decision that what was discussed should not be made public at this stage.

The labour federation filed a Section 77 notice on Tuesday, which will enable workers to engage in protected protest action in the form of a national stay-away.

Cosatu's planned action will coincide with the implementation of the e-tolling system on April 30.

Cosatu will also embark on other forms of protests like marches, picketing and sit-ins to register their displeasure with the system which will affect mostly low-earners.

Cosatu in North West will also hold a protest action at the Swartruggens tollgate today to demand that the toll fees be reduced.

Provincial secretary Solly Phetoe said: "This protest action is part of the national campaign against e-tolling and labour brokers. Cosatu calls on all its members to come out in numbers to fight against this reverse apartheid that we are experiencing.

"We call on all taxi owners, motorists, business people and the rest of the people of North West to support our picketing and demonstration, which will start from April 20 2012 ..."

A series of protest action will also take place as a build-up to the April 30 strike.

This will include a night vigil at the Tshwane department of roads and transport on April 25, picketing at the Sanral offices on the same day and a night vigil at the Swartruggens toll gate on April 20 and 21.

Comments

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Mon May 20 08:52:07 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 20, 2012

truthhurt

I am not paying for this, this is not what i voted for, we should have been informed when the government decided to move from a Democracy to Autocracy, otherwise they must prepare Robin Island for inmates because thats where i am willing to spend the rest of my life.

Call The POPO, Call The POPO HO!

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Apr 20, 2012

livhu4chiefs

do wat u want SCAMRAl, im not paying........
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Apr 20, 2012

mambaaai

Well, if................... the ANC wont budge on e Toll................. then they must go out..... we need leaders who listen to, and take care of the lands people and not their own pensions
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Apr 20, 2012

Xovizwe

I will advise that every employee, private or public, must take sick or special leave on the 30th. Everything must be on a stand still.


If I had some grenade, I would plant them under those e-tolls during the march.
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Apr 20, 2012

1tsotsi

Dear Izinyoka

Now is about time that you give back to the community, by stealing electrical cables of the E-toll system.


Yours poorly
1tsotsi
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Apr 20, 2012

Xovizwe

10c per kilometer will be little better.

R10 per 100 km.

Around R18 per month. (@ around 60c per day)

Very reasonable. Start slowly, That what they did with GEMS, today it is the most expensive medical aid.
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Apr 20, 2012

Uppercut

Anyhow why should they always increase Toll fees so much? I dont get the logic behind that, cause if its about covering for the debts they incurred fixing those roads. they have collected more than what they owed by now. instead there should be some kind of relief reducing the amounts we pay not increasing.
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Apr 20, 2012

fransvan_erk

Will Alli (baba) please tell the South African public on what moral ground these toll roads can be justified.
If your explanation is a grade four one, a la 783, you are triggering a revolt and the dead will come to haunt you.
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Apr 20, 2012

Indoda

Thank god I’m on yellow pages …
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Apr 20, 2012

MommaC

So the trucking companies are shutting the highway down on the 25th April and Cosatu is shutting down their offices. Nice.

We already pay R1.95 fuel levy. Unpeg that from national fiscus and you can pay for the roads. Stop adding taxes on taxed taxes
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