Members of the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the OR Tambo region have threatened mass protests if the state endorses a plan to toll the N2 Wild Coast (N2WC) road.
The project is still in its initial stages, which will see the building of two major bridges. Construction is expected to start by May next year.
In an interview with the Daily Dispatch, South African National Roads Agency’s (Sanral) N2WC project manager Craig McLachlan confirmed the road would be tolled, but it was unclear how many toll gates would be erected on the 410km stretch of road and where.
SACP OR Tambo deputy secretary Lazola Ndamase there were indications that one of the toll gates would be between Mthatha and Port St Johns.
“We want to warn whoever is running this programme once there is confirmation that any parts of the roads within our jurisdiction is converted to a toll gate, we will go to the streets and mobilise workers and the poor against such toll gates,” said Ndamase.
The resolution to protest against any plans to erect a toll road was made during a SACP meeting held at the King Sabata Dalindyebo’s Libode campus last weekend.
“We have no problem with the building of the road, but with the toll gate. Naturally will cost those who commute between these areas.”
Sanral last month admitted plans to toll the road.
McLachlan said the exact number and location of toll gates would be determined at a later date “after extensive stakeholder engagement and a public participation process as required by legislation”.
He said the national Department of Transport and Sanral were currently still in discussion with National Treasury regarding the funding model to be used.
McLachlan said the extent of borrowing and the “repayment terms will in a large part determine the toll tariffs that will be charged”.
Ndamase said there were hundreds of people, largely poor, who lived in PSJ but had to shop in Mthatha because of the spatial planning and nature of these towns.
He referred to Gauteng where Sanral agreed to allow taxis a free ride through e-tolls, and dropped rates to what Sanral viewed as minimum costs, but that too, he said, remained costly for many commuters.
“Our argument is that people who own cars are not necessarily able to afford this. You can’t victimise these people,” Ndamase added.
He said the SACP did not agree with the user and pay principle for the upgrading of the country’s roads infrastructure. “It is not a helpful principle,” said Ndamase.
But McLachlan said they would work with the Treasury to ensure the tariffs were affordable and in keeping with the distance and time savings that would be achieved through the new route.
“Sanral will also look at local user and public transport discounts as part of the public participation process,” said McLachlan.
Showdown looms over Wild Coast toll plans
The project is still in its initial stages, which will see the building of two major bridges. Construction is expected to start by May next year.
In an interview with the Daily Dispatch, South African National Roads Agency’s (Sanral) N2WC project manager Craig McLachlan confirmed the road would be tolled, but it was unclear how many toll gates would be erected on the 410km stretch of road and where.
SACP OR Tambo deputy secretary Lazola Ndamase there were indications that one of the toll gates would be between Mthatha and Port St Johns.
“We want to warn whoever is running this programme once there is confirmation that any parts of the roads within our jurisdiction is converted to a toll gate, we will go to the streets and mobilise workers and the poor against such toll gates,” said Ndamase.
The resolution to protest against any plans to erect a toll road was made during a SACP meeting held at the King Sabata Dalindyebo’s Libode campus last weekend.
“We have no problem with the building of the road, but with the toll gate. Naturally will cost those who commute between these areas.”
Sanral last month admitted plans to toll the road.
McLachlan said the exact number and location of toll gates would be determined at a later date “after extensive stakeholder engagement and a public participation process as required by legislation”.
He said the national Department of Transport and Sanral were currently still in discussion with National Treasury regarding the funding model to be used.
McLachlan said the extent of borrowing and the “repayment terms will in a large part determine the toll tariffs that will be charged”.
Ndamase said there were hundreds of people, largely poor, who lived in PSJ but had to shop in Mthatha because of the spatial planning and nature of these towns.
He referred to Gauteng where Sanral agreed to allow taxis a free ride through e-tolls, and dropped rates to what Sanral viewed as minimum costs, but that too, he said, remained costly for many commuters.
“Our argument is that people who own cars are not necessarily able to afford this. You can’t victimise these people,” Ndamase added.
He said the SACP did not agree with the user and pay principle for the upgrading of the country’s roads infrastructure. “It is not a helpful principle,” said Ndamase.
But McLachlan said they would work with the Treasury to ensure the tariffs were affordable and in keeping with the distance and time savings that would be achieved through the new route.
“Sanral will also look at local user and public transport discounts as part of the public participation process,” said McLachlan.
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