By Kaya 959 News
An agricultural union is calling for the removal of the Mooi River Toll Plaza on the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, due to the severe risk of its location.
Following on from the violent attacks in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal two weeks ago, Kwanalu believes the location of the toll plaza poses a severe risk on the economy.
Kwanalu CEO, Sandy La Marque, said they have made the call to Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Thoko Didiza during a recent meeting.
“This comes in the wake of the devastating economic consequences the closure of the toll plaza had on the agricultural sector value chain and the subsequent food shortages’ threat to the province,” she said.
READ:Gauteng transport MEC hints e-tolls decision will be ‘favourable’
Security risk analysis
Kwanalu represents farmers, rural members, commodity groups and agribusinesses. It has recommended that the government undertake a security risk analysis on the location of the plaza.
“We strongly believe that the findings would more than justify the relocation or removal of the toll in its entirety. We call on the government to acknowledge the risk that exists with its location,” La Marque said.
She said in addition to the move, the government should erect a high security fence to secure the freeway through the whole of the Mooi River municipal area.
The call is supported by the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa, AgBiz.
AgBiz understands the problems of unemployment and poverty in this area, “but proposes that other solutions to this problem be sought and developed, independent of the N3 security,” said AgBiz Chief Executive, Dr John Purchase.
La Marque said there are drastic economic consequences suffered when the plaza is forced to close.
“Our members deserve the right to be able to continue with the day-to-day economic activities of
providing food without the threat to lives or financial implications that using the Mooi River Toll Plaza places on them and their employees,” said La Marque.
READ: Retailer deploys trucks to Gauteng townships affected by the unrest
Main image credit: Facebook/N3 Toll Concession
