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Cape Town - The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says the planned toll roads on the N1 and N2 in the Western Cape will create almost 5 000 jobs, it was reported on Wednesday.
Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona told the Cape Times almost three-quarters of these jobs would go to lower-paid workers.
After construction, about 600 direct jobs would be generated a year.
"The upgrade of the N1-N2 Winelands route will be of great benefit to all communities in the region and will not impact negatively on poorer communities," he said.
"Sanral views the upgrading of the road network as a major infrastructural investment which will lead to increased job opportunities and will also boost the economy in the region."
The Democratic Alliance announced on Monday that it would mobilise residents against tolling.
Congress of SA Trade Unions provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich also said he would oppose the project.
Ehrenreich reportedly said Cosatu would not support running an anti-tolling campaign with the DA unless it publicly stated it would use funds to remove huge inequalities between "black and white areas".
Provincial premier Helen Zille said it was hypocritical of Ehrenreich to oppose the project when the ANC caucus in the city council, led by Ehrenreich, had voted against the city's decision to fight tolls.
Ehrenreich said: "I can't say I recall that happening. We would never do that. We have always been against tolling".
