Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will today meet Cosatu representatives to discuss the e-tolling project.

The trade union federation has called on the government to scrap the project.

Yesterday, a government team met delegates of freight and vehicle associations at the Union Buildings to find common ground.

At the meeting, Business Unity SA, the Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, the Road Freight Association, and the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance argued for an alternative way of funding roads development, such as a fuel levy.

E-tolling would force Gauteng motorists to pay 30c/km or more.

The SA National Roads Agency claims it incurred a R20-billion debt in setting up the stalled project.

The dispute is now before the Constitutional Court.

In May, after a meeting of its central executive committee, Cosatu said a fuel levy was the best alternative to e-tolling. It is expected to defend that position at today’s meeting.

Motlanthe is hoping to find a solution that will avert further court action.

The ANC in Gauteng last month said in its policy documents that it favoured a fuel levy – as an interim measure – and proposed a “once-off” contribution by companies making “super profits” in the province to fund freeway improvement.

Public resistance to e-tolling led to President Jacob Zuma removing Sbu Ndebele and Jeremy Cronin from the top two posts in the Department of Transport.

Sanral boss Nazir Alli resigned in May, only to be brought back a few days later.

 

 

Source: http://www.timeslive.co.za