The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and other civil society groups have called for an independent investigation into the procurement process which ultimately led to the controversial e-tolling system in Gauteng.
According to a report by Business Day Live, both COSATU and religious organisations have said a lack transparency regarding e-tolling may diminish the public’s trust in government.
The Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) has previously expressed its shock at the revelation Austrian e-tolling company Kapsch TrafficCom is expecting approximately US$67.6 million in profit from the e-tolling project, with COSATU condemning this in a recent statement.
On Friday, COSATU held a briefing with the South African Catholic Bishops Conference, the National Taxi Alliance, the Treatment Action Campaign and the Evangelical Alliance in Johannesburg.
COSATU took to the freeways in Johannesburg again yesterday to protest against e-tolling and will take their protest action to Tshwane (Pretoria) on July 2. Prayer services will also take place across South Africa’s provinces.
“It is also our intention to find an appropriate way to get an independent body to investigate this particular question… We will definitely communicate as to whether we think the public protector will be an appropriate institution to investigate, or the Hawks or the auditor-general,” said Dumisani Dakile, COSATU’s Gauteng provincial secretary.
OUTA is continuing its legal battle against e-tolling, which has largely been funded by public donations. Wayne Duvenage, chairperson of OUTA, said the public voices its opinions and should be heard.
“There are a lot of unanswered questions and lack of transparency. Other entities including the DA (Democratic Alliance) and COSATU will ask for more independent inquiries about why this is costing so much,” said Duvenage.
