Soweto residents to voice their views on tolls

15 September 2014 - 21:03 By Sapa
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E-toll gantry. File photo.
E-toll gantry. File photo.
Image: RUSSELL ROBERTS

Residents of Soweto were given a chance on Monday to voice their views on e-tolls as well as the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.

Dozens of Soweto residents, mostly clad in blue Democratic Alliance T-shirts, filled the Orlando Community Hall where an advisory panel on the socio-economic impact on the tolls was discussed.

The meeting was chaired by professor Muxe Nkondo, who was appointed by Gauteng premier David Makhura.

Nkondo explained the talks were aimed at evaluating the impact of the tolls on the economy as well as the impact they had in the lives of people.

"Feel free to tell us your stories," he said.

Panellist Trish Hanekom explained that the meeting was not expecting to hear the views of political parties but of individuals.

"When the public meetings are complete, we'll meet with the political parties involved in the legislature," she said.

She called on the public to continue to make written submissions until October.

The panel was expected to submit its findings and recommendations to Makhura by November.

He would apply his mind on what to do with the report.

The talks come amid wide rejection of tolls, with some political parties calling for them to be scrapped.

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