SANRAL believes e-tolling in Western Cape will create jobs

Despite the fierce opposition to SANRAL’s e-toll plan for the Western Cape, spokesperson Vusi Mona told the Cape Times newspaper that approximately three-quarters of the job positions that will be available will go to lower earning workers.

According to Mona, 600 direct jobs will be generated per year following the construction of the gantries.

“The upgrade of the N1-N2 Winelands route will be of great benefit to all communities in the region and will not impact negatively on poorer communities,” said Mona.

However, HumanIPO reported yesterday the Democratic Alliance (DA) said residents in Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain will be most affected by the tolling because they will have to pay ZAR1,160 (US$126) a month to travel into Cape Town CBD.

Mona added: “SANRAL views the upgrading of the road network as a major infrastructural investment which will lead to increased job opportunities and will also boost the economy in the region.”

The DA said on Monday it will mobilise residents in a campaign against e-tolling in the Western Cape.

Tony Ehrenreich, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), will also oppose e-tolling in the province, but will not support the DA’s anti e-tolling campaign unless the party makes a public statement pertaining to using funds to remove inequalities between “black and white” areas.

However, Helen Zille, premier of the Western Cape and leader of the DA, hit back at Ehrenreich, saying his opposition to e-tolling in the Western Cape is hypocritical because the African National Congress (ANC) caucus in the City of Cape Town’s council, which he leads, voted against the decision to fight tolls.

However Ehrenreich cannot seem to remember the ANC Western Cape voting against the proposition to fight e-tolling in the province.

“I can’t say I recall that happening. We would never do that. We have always been against tolling,” Ehrenreich was quoted as saying.