Government for dummies

Dear Government

This is a little note on how not to tick off your citizens. It has all been said before and will probably go unheard, as usual, but I'll say it anyway.

A democracy means the power lies in the hands of the people.

Farzana Rasool, IT in government editor, ITWeb

Today's lesson is for the Department of Transport, specifically with regards to its testing of citizens' patience. E-tolling can't be anything more than that, right? A challenge by government to see how far it can push its citizenry before triggering a civil uprising?

Firstly, this is the way you do things: you thoroughly research a new system, weigh up its pros and cons, and most importantly, carefully consider how it would affect the citizens that have voted you into power.

What you shouldn't do is spy an opportunity to make money and then spring it on the poor, unsuspecting public that probably won't be able to afford the nasty leeching system in the first place.

What I should probably also tell you is that a democracy means the power lies in the hands of the people, and if you roll out a selfish, inconsiderate system then you will have to deal with the wrath of those that pay your salaries.

And another thing, don't try and draw all you can from one province. It won't make you look any better or make you any more favourable with the others. As you have no doubt gathered by now, they all unite online and by word of mouth if they feel a great injustice is being done.

Industry players say e-tolling should be a national burden and not just Gauteng's, since Gauteng road users already contribute significantly more to the national funding of the operation of government, and by implication, all other provinces, than what it receives back to fund Gauteng's own needs.

Using various reasonable assumptions, it is said Gauteng contributes approximately R260 billion (39%) to the central fiscus of government.

Lesson four, don't push your luck. If you're already driving fancy cars and going for expensive beauty treatments (read this) on the taxpayer's budget, stop there.

The masses may generally be complacent, but test their patience and it won't be pretty.

If you want to see sophisticated top-level business executives and conservative math teachers turn into rebellious lawbreakers then please go ahead with your e-tolling system. It will at least be entertaining.

Fifthly, don't spend massive amounts on white elephant stadiums and lavish centenary parties and then say you have no money to maintain roads.

Also, please try and work together and attempt to stay in the loop if you ever expect to be taken seriously.

SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) CEO Nazir Alli said he was surprised by the e-toll delay after the new board announced the system would not be implemented in February as previously planned, since they now - after building the gantries and selling e-tags - need to pour further thought into the system.

Then this past weekend, there was a roadblock by Sanral officials, where drivers were allegedly forced to register for e-tolling or pay a fine. Surprise, surprise, Sanral says it knows nothing about the illegal roadblock.

Lesson six, make sure your system and its terms and conditions are legal, before trying to enforce them on citizens.

Analysts say e-tolling, and specifically the registration of e-tags, goes directly against the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) that protects consumers from unfair, unreasonable and unjust practices.

Specifically mentioned is the clause that says Sanral's information is correct unless a driver can prove otherwise, which is particularly salient in the case of fraudulent plates being used by criminals.

This clause has been described by consumer unions as wrong and unreasonable. Come now government, even you should know better than this.

Lastly, if you have R21 billion to spend - wastefully and irregularly - then you have R20 billion for road upgrades and maintenance. Yes, a little bit of a logical thought process is all you need.

Gauteng and SA may have breathed a huge sigh of relief for now, but part of me suspects this lesson may have come a little too late.

Why? Because you have once again proven to be the king of hindsight and have packed up your system and taken it on a thinkers' vacation until the next time you feel stupidly brave, at which point the whole circus will begin once more.

My suggestion is hang some lovely flower arrangements amid the blue lights on the prematurely built gantries and say that beautification was your intention all along, and the not so well thought-out e-toll system is just the big joke everyone thinks it is.