Gauteng Transport Crackdown: 62 Unroadworthy Minibus Taxis Removed from Roads
Gauteng motorists have been urged to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and compliant with the law as the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) ramps up enforcement across the province.
Between 22 and 28 September, GTI officers removed 62 unroadworthy minibus taxis from the province’s roads during a focused operation aimed at restoring order and improving commuter safety, Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela confirmed.
The crackdown also saw a total of 1,104 traffic infringement notices issued, with 469 delivered manually and 635 through the e-force electronic system. Violations ranged from serious vehicle defects such as faulty brakes and lights, to operators driving unlicensed vehicles, some missing crucial documentation.
Diale-Tlabela said enforcement officers uncovered an alarming level of illegal activity. Fifty-two minibus taxi drivers were caught operating without valid driving licences, while 92 were found driving without any form of licence at all.
“The violations pose extreme danger to all road users. Unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed drivers are nothing less than potential death traps, and they have no place on our roads. We will not tolerate such blatant disregard for the law,” she said on Thursday.
The MEC highlighted that the weekly operations form part of a long-term strategy to combat lawlessness, enhance road safety, and strengthen regulatory compliance within the public transport sector.
Diale-Tlabela stressed that the provincial government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance in public transport. Operators who prioritise profit over the lives of commuters face uncompromising enforcement, including impoundment of their vehicles.
“Our commitment is clear: safety comes first. Those who endanger passengers will be held accountable,” she said.
The recent operation underscores the need for all motorists, especially public transport operators, to maintain their vehicles in proper working order and ensure all licences and documentation are up to date
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