e-tolling is the best way forward

by Letters Editor · June 13, 2013

From Rosemary Robertson, Port Elizabeth

It is extremely disappointing that the Justice & Peace Department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops� Conference has called on the Catholic community not to collaborate with the e-tolling procedures (May 29).�Why on earth is the J&P jumping on the ill-informed, anti-tolling bandwagon when there are far more worthy causes for which it might promote civil disobedience?

“Meanwhile, there is never any mention of the employment opportunities created via the construction of infrastructure such as roads. ” (Stock image)

The Gauteng freeways improvement project has been in the public domain since around 2007, if not earlier. There have been extensive public participation exercises and press releases, while the construction work on the freeways over a four- or five-year period surely did not escape the J&P�s notice. Or perhaps it did, judging from the Southern Cross article. It should be obvious by now that the Gauteng freeways project will not cost R20,63 billion�it has already cost R20,63 billion.

It should also be obvious that the cost of the project has to come from somewhere.� Either, the funds have to come from the general fiscus (which would mean an increase in general taxation), or a specific levy would have to be added to the cost of fuel, or the principle of �user pays� can be applied in the form of tolling.

Contrary to the arguments being bandied about by the e-toll opponents, the tolling option probably has the least impact on the poor. It also carries the best chance that the funds so raised will actually be spent on the roads.

As far as I�m aware, public transport, including taxis, receive generous toll concessions. It is also an inconvenient truth that the poor, in general, don�t own cars. So, how will the implementation of e-tolls impact negatively on the poor?

Meanwhile, there is never any mention of the employment opportunities created via the construction of infrastructure such as roads. For example, could the J&P enlighten us as to the value of wages injected into local communities via road construction projects?

The principle of tolling certain roads in South Africa is but one part of the government�s strategy with regard to the transportation of freight and commuters. Massive investment is also earmarked in heavy rail for the transportation of bulk freight, while public transport initiatives have been embarked on in major cities.

Sadly, the latter have also run into misguided opposition and a lack of political will to see them through.� The stalled bus system in Nelson Mandela Bay is a case in point.

The J&P Department should engage with the national roads agency before openly criticising one of the better functioning organs of state.

There are far more worthy causes whereby the Church can campaign on behalf of the poor. How about a boycott of vineyards seen to be paying poverty trap wages?