Makhura jumps gun on e-tolls, land reform

THE ANC in Gauteng has resolved to push for the scrapping of e-tolls in the country’s economic heartland, as the party fears possible loss of electoral support in next year’s general elections.

The governing party held its provincial elective conference at the weekend, during which Gauteng Premier David Makhura was elected provincial chairperson unopposed.

Makhura has admitted that dissent over e-tolls had contributed to the party’s loss of support in two metros – Johannesburg and Tshwane – in the local government elections in 2016.

Delivering the closing address at the conference, Makhura said: “We have a plan to ensure that e-tolls are a thing of the past. We shall assess everything we do in relation to how it affects our people and their wellbeing.”

This was the first time the party held a conference after its loss of power to a DA-led coalitions in Johannesburg and Tshwane.

However, it remained unclear what strategy the party would use to do away with the e-tolls, as they were the competency of the national government.

Makhura said the party had also resolved not to wait for the parliamentary review of section 25 of the constitution for the expropriation of land without compensation.

He told the delegates that although they would contribute when the hearings are held in the province, they would not wait for the hearings to conclude on expropriating land.

“We will be attending the hearings on the constitutional review on Thursday. The ANC’s views will be heard, and we are clear that the land shall be returned to our people,” he said.