Rumours have long been circulating that certain controversial pieces of legislation might be held back until after next year’s elections – lest the ruling party appears not to act in the interest of the people.

Naturally, any suggestion that this may be happening has been vehemently denied by the ANC.

But perhaps it’s time to admit that where there’s smoke, and it smells like a duck, someone’s goose is cooked… to mix a few metaphors, in the spirit of conflicting ANC governance practices.

Despite the party’s denials, recent reports have emerged that the ANC – in a confidential election strategy document circulated among its MPs – has instructed its members to delay proposed laws that are likely to cause controversy and rush through those that would make the party look good.

In fact, said document reported, explicitly tells MPs that this is how they should spend their remaining time in Parliament, before the term ends in November and parties go into electioneering mode.

The story was initially run by the Sunday Times and subsequently picked up by a number of other publications. It was also reported that “ANC caucus spokesman Moloto Mothapo did not deny the existence of the confi dential strategy document”.

Not surprisingly, the Bills that have been fast-tracked are purportedly those considered pro-poor, and those that would benefi t the working class. Conversely, Bills that are seen as potentially unpopular with traditional leaders would reportedly be postponed.

One of the more controversial pieces of legislation, which did not get a mention in any of the media reports, is the Transport Laws and Related Matters Amendment Bill – or the so-called E-tolls Bill. This law would pave the way for the much-maligned and controversial Gauteng e-tolling system to go live.

Speculation has been doing the rounds that government is likely to hold back on e-toll implementation until after the elections, considering the large-scale opposition from not only civic and political groups, but also from the country’s ANC-aligned labour movement. The loss of labour’s support would no doubt be a major blow to the ANC’s power base.

Naturally, rumours of government’s delay tactics have been quickly dismissed by the South African National Roads Agency, which claims it is ready to proceed with e-tolling with immediate effect. Much has also been made of the adverse economic impact of delaying the e-tolls any further, with the roads agency warning of the potential dire consequences of its failure to begin repaying the R20 billion-plus loan for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, meant to be funded via the tolling system.

It is ironic then that the latest – and only – delay to e-tolling is president Jacob Zuma" rel=tag>Jacob Zuma’s failure to sign the Bill. More worrying is that, in light of the “catastrophic” economic impact of delaying e-tolling, the ANC is willing to put electioneering ahead of the country’s interests.

Then again, it simply comes down to ticking the right boxes, isn’t it?

Happy reading!

Martin Czernowalow