Sapa and Poloko Tau
GAUTENG highways are national assets and not commodities for profit, says Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
“These roads are national assets, for the use of the people of South Africa, not a commodity which can be used to make profits at our great expense,” he said in Joburg yesterday.
“The federation will continue to campaign for an efficient, safe and affordable system of public transport.”
Tolling on 185km of the N1, N3, N12 and R21 around Joburg and Pretoria will start on April 30. In terms of the new fee system, the cost for motorcycles and light vehicles will be capped at R550 a month.
Vavi said Cosatu’s affiliates and provincial structures had reported overwhelming support for a March 7 strike against e-tolling and the banning of labour brokers.
“It’s all systems go for the biggest mass protest in years. We call on every South African to join this protest action, be they black or white, rich or poor,” he added.
Cosatu noted it would not participate in a court application to halt e-tolling.
“We are not part of it mainly because of the Democratic Alliance’s participation in it,” said Vavi.
He called for cabinet members to take a salary cut and for a return to “selflessness”.
Addressing SA Democratic Teachers Union members in Soweto, Vavi warned teachers to brace themselves for a war in the public service wage negotiations that have yet to be concluded.
The outspoken Cosatu leader also urged the ANC to “clean its house” and deal with tender fraud.