The Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, the Wild Coast and the Cape Winelands Toll Highway Project were ill-conceived, likely to have corrupt elements attached to it and too expensive for the majority of this country, who's pockets will be emptied after the scheduled petrol hikes take effect this week and in subsequent months.

Municipal workers are ready and willing to join COSATU's planned protest action on Wednesday this week - in what is likely to be the biggest protest action taken in many years. We will join hands with sister Unions and civil society calling for an end to e-Tolling and labour broking. We will not back down as this fight is one worth fighting until the end.

Municipal workers will sacrifice a day's wage for the greater good and encourage others to do the same.

Both unionised and non-unionised members of society will be able to take part in the protest action scheduled for Wednesday, COSATU has obtained two certificates to allow for this. Workers across all sectors will be able to walk off their jobs, to participate in the noble protest action and will not face any repercussions. As the protest action is both legal and protected.

Apart from scrapping the Toll road projects, Government must investigate as to who was responsible for steam-rolling these projects past public and stake holder consultation as well as all the relevant checks and balances. This for us is highly suspicious, given the amounts of money involved in the various Toll road projects.

Say no to open road tolling systems!

Statement issued by Tahir Sema, SAMWU National Media and Publicity Officer, March 5 2012

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