Cosatu president, Sdumo Dlamini, says the union will be submitting a strike notice to the National Economic Development and Labour Council in another bid to prevent the tolling of Gauteng’s freeways.

Cosatu has been against e-tolling from the start and even held a nationwide protest against it in March this year.

Dlamini has expressed Cosatu’s view on e-tolls, saying South Africa does not want e-tolls.

The union is of the view that e-tolls will have a negative impact on the poor people in the country.

Last week, Cosatu made a submission to the Department of Transport on the matter.

Meanwhile, international corporate law firm Eversheds South Africa has noted that the implementation of e-tolls is “financially irrational”.

Eversheds South Africa director, Alex Eliott, says the proposed amendments to the tariffs could mean the South African National Road Agency (Sanral) might have to pay as much as R20 in collection for vehicles that are not registered for e-tolling.

“Yes, a lot of people could register to get tags and pay.

“It will be easy for Sanral to collect from those; it will be difficult for those who don’t. If you have a majority of those who don’t comply that’s when you have a problem,”says Eliott.

Department of Transport spokesperson Tiyani Rikhotso says that the infrastructure needed for e-tolling is meant to attract investment and economic growth into South Africa.

“Our roads have had huge improvements and we believe that we must go through these necessary pains to see this country get to where it needs to be,” he says.

The government will hold meetings with stakeholders on the recently gazetted proposals and tolling rates this week.

Cosatu’s top management are scheduled to meet later in the month to discuss a plan on the way forward.