Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says the trade union federation will resist the introduction of Gauteng's e-tolling project "with every power we have"
"In our view, it would be a huge mistake by government if it was to steam ahead on the basis of the Constitutional Court judgment and implement what we all know is an extremely unpopular policy decision," he said.
"We are going to resist it with every power we have."
Vavi was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Congress of SA Trade Unions national congress in Midrand, Johannesburg.
"Cosatu remains absolutely determined to oppose the e-tolls at the street level. The mobilisation is not over," he said.
Government on the other hand welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling.
Transport Department Director General George Mahlalala said in a statement: "Government remains convinced about the appropriateness of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project [GFIP], with the user-pay principle as part of our country’s investment in road infrastructure and our collective drive to grow the economy".
The development of a country’s road infrastructure played a critical role in building its economy and sustaining its growth by facilitating the movement of goods and services across the country, he said.
Government would study the judgment and make an announcement on the way forward soon.
Outa leader Wayne Duvenage said it wouldn’t be possible for the government to start tolling “tomorrow” because there were still outstanding issues to be dealt with.
“They can’t start e-tolling tomorrow,” he said.
The issues include tariff exemptions and other work to get the project up and running again.
The actual review hearing will take place in November.
The DA’s Gauteng caucus leader Jack Bloom said Sanral would find it difficult to implement the e-tolls in the face of widespread public opposition.
Legislation to implement the tolls had also still not been passed in Parliament. “The DA will oppose this so that the public are treated fairly in this matter,” he said in a statement.
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E-Tolls will be resisted: Vavi
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi says the trade union federation will resist the introduction of Gauteng's e-tolling project "with every power we have"
"In our view, it would be a huge mistake by government if it was to steam ahead on the basis of the Constitutional Court judgment and implement what we all know is an extremely unpopular policy decision," he said.
"We are going to resist it with every power we have."
Vavi was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Congress of SA Trade Unions national congress in Midrand, Johannesburg.
"Cosatu remains absolutely determined to oppose the e-tolls at the street level. The mobilisation is not over," he said.
Government on the other hand welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling.
Transport Department Director General George Mahlalala said in a statement: "Government remains convinced about the appropriateness of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project [GFIP], with the user-pay principle as part of our country’s investment in road infrastructure and our collective drive to grow the economy".
The development of a country’s road infrastructure played a critical role in building its economy and sustaining its growth by facilitating the movement of goods and services across the country, he said.
Government would study the judgment and make an announcement on the way forward soon.
Outa leader Wayne Duvenage said it wouldn’t be possible for the government to start tolling “tomorrow” because there were still outstanding issues to be dealt with.
“They can’t start e-tolling tomorrow,” he said.
The issues include tariff exemptions and other work to get the project up and running again.
The actual review hearing will take place in November.
The DA’s Gauteng caucus leader Jack Bloom said Sanral would find it difficult to implement the e-tolls in the face of widespread public opposition.
Legislation to implement the tolls had also still not been passed in Parliament. “The DA will oppose this so that the public are treated fairly in this matter,” he said in a statement.
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