The etolls debate is still a serious topic of discussion around the country, but nowhere more so than in Gauteng where it is actually implemented. While Gauteng Premier David Makhura is busy wrapping up public consultations around the much-hated system to determine the social-economic impact of it, the argument against etolls received some unexpected support over the weekend.

The local and national government have, on many occasions, vehemently said that etolls are here to stay, but the ANC in Gauteng yesterday stated in a declaration at it three-day elective conference that the system should be scrapped.

Secretary Hope Papo told the delegation that etolls have actually made the traffic flow worse than before, and the ANC in Gauteng would rather see some sort of extra fuel levy imposed on drivers to pay for the system.

“The current system is too expensive, traffic flows have been negatively affected. We would rather have a fuel levy,” he said. Papo also added that the organisation would be making submissions to Makhura’s review panel.

During the elective conference former arts and culture minister Paul Mashatile was re-elected chairperson of the province, and has always been a very vocal opposition to the implementation of etolls – not only in Gauteng, but also across South Africa.

In a characteristic speech against the system, he told delegates that he dislikes it when government-run departments and organisations take it upon themselves to tackle politicians.

“It’s not that I don’t like Sanral, but they must know their place. Government agencies don’t run the country, but the ANC does. I don’t like government agencies that take on politicians. They must go and be elected first. We appoint officials to implement the policies of the ANC. Sanral cannot tell us what to do. We tell them what to do,” he said.

[Source – News24, Image – CC by 2.o/Axel Bührmann]