E-tolling: Road closures for Cosatu march

2012-11-30 08:28

Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi. Picture: Lucky Nxumalo/City Press

Johannesburg - Motorists in Tshwane and Johannesburg must expect road closures during a march against e-tolling by Cosatu on Friday.

The marchers would gather at about 09:30 at the corner of Sophie De Bruyn and Johannes Ramokhoase streets in Pretoria.

The group would go to the transport and finance departments to hand over memorandums against e-tolling in Gauteng, City of Tshwane spokesperson Console Tleane said.

The protest was expected to finish at the City Hall at about 14:00.

In Johannesburg, marchers would begin to arrive at Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown from 09:00, metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said.

They would proceed to Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane's office in Simmonds Street, the transport department in Pritchard Street, and the housing department in Sauer Street, to hand over memorandums.

Cosatu had organised the march with the aim of having e-tolling scrapped. The marchers were also protesting against the demolition of illegally-built houses in Lenasia earlier this month.

Future of the e-toll system

"Government calls on marchers to exercise their right to protest within the ambit of the law," government spokesperson Thabo Masebe said.

Congress of SA Trade Unions provincial secretary Dumisani Dakile had threatened that the union federation's members would demolish the toll gantries if the government did not scrap the system.

Speaking to EyeWitness News on Thursday morning Dakile however said what he had meant was that government officials who tore down houses in Lenasia should also tear down the gantries.

Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said Friday's protest was just the beginning.

"On the 6th of December we are not only going to march, but give the government a little dose of what to expect in March if they pass that law and try to force implementation of the e-tolls," he said.

The High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday reserved judgment on the future of the e-toll system.

- SAPA