South African Workers to March Against Toll Roads

“The tolls will put a burden on the poor,” Zwelinzima Vavi, Cosatu secretary general told journalists on Tuesday.

“We’re saying to the government, we remain open to talk to you. Call us, we will come running to find a resolution,” he said.

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said marches were planned for 32 towns and cities, with the biggest protest expected in Johannesburg.

“We expect over 100,000 people to come out. This is about the people, the workers, voicing concern over this unjust proposal,” said Craven.

The new toll system has created a huge public outcry and Cosatu, which is a partner in the African National Congress-led government, has vowed to stop it.

The system was supposed to begin working in February and gantries have already been erected along the newly upgraded five-lane highways around the two cities.

In a bid to lower the toll burden, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said last month that government would kick in an extra 5.8 billion rand ($750 million) toward the 20 billion rand in loans the national road agency has taken out to upgrade highways.

Cars will now pay 30 cents (four US cents, three euro cents) per kilometre, down from the 49 cents initially proposed. The system is now billed to start on April 30.

The protest has received support from various opposition parties and civil society groups who fear that the tolls will push up the cost of living.

“Roads should be paid for by the state, not daily users,” the militant ANC Youth League said in a statement.

The Youth League is embroiled in its own conflict with the ANC parent body, which last week expelled youth leader Julius Malema for provoking divisions within the party.

Malema, who remains in his position until his appeals are exhausted, plans to join the protest Wednesday, Vavi said.

But the main opposition Democratic Alliance declined to join the protest, saying it plans to challenge the system in court.