South African President Jacob Zuma is "not angry" about a split in the African National Congress (ANC) regarding the Gauteng province's highway electronic tolling (e-toll) project.

This is according to a statement released by the Presidency on Monday.

Zuma was noticeably absent from an ANC Gauteng conference on the weekend that addressed issues such as electing the party's provincial chairperson and outlining future plans.

At the conference, ANC Gauteng members also resolved to oppose e-tolls in its current form.

This goes against statements made by South African Transport Minister Dipuo Peters that the system won't be scrapped.

"South Africa is a democratic country and the leadership of the ANC in Gauteng has every right to state their views and that of the membership of Gauteng with regards to what government is doing, including displeasure about the e-tolls in their current form," says the Presidency in a statement.

"We cannot suppress the Gauteng ANC from expressing their views on this matter; in fact we welcome the feedback.

"The Premier of Gauteng, Mr David Makhura discussed this matter with me (Jacob Zuma) long before the ANC conference. The national government will discuss the matter with Gauteng," notes the statement.

E-tolls were switched on in Gauteng in December last year to help the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) pay back R20 billion owed as part of the province's highway upgrades.

Government activated Gauteng's e-tolls despite opposition from unions, civil society groups such as the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) and the general public.

Subsequently, Gauteng support for the ANC fell from 64% to 53% in this year's general election. Gauteng is key for poltical parties as it is South Africa's richest province.

And analysts blame government's decision to implement e-tolls as among key reasons for the ANC's lost support in the province.

Subsequently, the Gauteng ANC's move to oppose e-tolls is seen as a bid to win back support ahead of a crucial 2016 local government election.

The Gauteng ANC's e-tolls resolution on the weekend is also just its latest salvo against the controversial highway system.

Premier David Makhura quickly implemented an e-toll review panel after this year's general elections to get multiple views from the public, civil society and business on the system.

Sanral; though, did not make submissions to the review panel. Meanwhile, Transport Minister Dipuo Peters has remained resolute that national government won't listen to the review panel either.