Cosatu, DA applaud toll decision

The Congress of SA Trade Unions and the DA applauded the decision by the High Court in Pretoria to put the controversial e-toll system on hold with immediate effect.

This ruling at least opens the door for stopping this inexplicably costly toll collection system," Democratic Alliance transport spokesman Neil Campbell said in a statement on Saturday.

"We trust that during the review process all the financial facts...will come to light and we will learn who stood to make money out of this project."

Congress of SA Trade Unions general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi tweeted: "There is no replacement to principle and truth - congratulations!!!"

Judge Bill Prinsloo granted an urgent interdict, brought by the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (Outa), to stop the launch of the system, so that a full court review could be carried out to decide if it should be scrapped or not.

"I make the following order... the first respondent [SA National Roads Agency] is interdicted and restrained from levying and collecting tolls," he said.

Prinsloo said that while he realised Sanral would suffer huge financial losses, members of the public would also suffer hardship of the controversial project went ahead.