Photo: Gallo images

E-tolling has been halted for the remainder of 2012, yet the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has said that they will proceed with marches on November 30 and also close freewways around the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni areas on December 6.

The ANC withdrew the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill at the National Assembly on Thursday 22 November which has temporarily put the brakes on e-tolling in Gauteng.

Without the bill, the tolling of Gauteng’s freeways cannot be implemented. There will be further deliberations on the matter when Parliament meets again in February 2013.

The Department of Transport held three public hearings recently to gauge public opinion on the e-toll system, not surprisingly, the majority of Gauteng residents at the hearing were against it.

On Friday November 30, Cosatu will hold a march from Newtown to the Department of Transport, the Department of Housing and the premier’s office. In Tshwane the march will be led to the Department of Transport and the Department of Finance.

Cosatu Gauteng chairman, Phutas Tseki said the withdrawal of the bill was welcomed because it could have opened up the possibility for e-tolling outside Gauteng.

“The primary purpose of the bill was to legalise e-tolling. All other matters in the bill are secondary. If you look at that particular bill it also enables Sanral to install the same gantries in all of the other provinces,” Mr Tseki said.

Cosatu has urged all members of the public to join in the marches and to attend the various night vigils which will be held during the opening of Parliament and legislatures in February.

The e-tolling saga it seems is far from over with Cosatu promising “the mother of all battles” in March.