Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has commended the work of Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) officers for their visibility, dedication and continued efforts in promoting road safety as part of the province’s commitment to #TacklingG13.
This follows the removal of over 150 unsafe vehicles from public roads in a single week, from April 6 to 12, during high-impact stop-and-search operations carried out across the cities of Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, Tshwane and the Sedibeng District Municipality.
The department stated that the operations conducted in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) are mainly targeted at strengthening compliance with road traffic legislation, improving visibility and curbing lawlessness, particularly within the public transport sector.
According to the department, a total of 13 vehicles were impounded, while 156 minibus taxis were discontinued due to failure to meet minimum road safety standards.
An officer is speaking to a driver. Photo: Gauteng Government Media
The department said that this followed the identification of critical defects, including faulty brakes, worn tyres, broken headlights, defective brake lights or indicators, and cracked windscreens. In addition, 212 vehicles were issued with discontinuation notices.
The department also said that the officers also issued infringement notices to non-compliant public transport operators, including more than 700 manual infringement notices and 796 electronic infringement notices processed using the inspectorate’s e-Force devices.
“As a concern to passenger and general road safety, 193 minibus taxi drivers were found to be operating without valid driving licences, whilst 85 minibus taxis operated without valid license discs,” added the road department.
The department shared that the GTI officers also arrested five motorists for offences including driving under the influence (DUI), interference with law enforcement operations and contravention of the Immigration Act.
“The removal of over 150 unsafe vehicles from our roads in just one week sends a clear and uncompromising message that there is no room for non-compliance when it comes to the safety of our people.”
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“The defects identified, ranging from faulty brakes to worn tyres, are not minor oversights but are life-threatening.
“Through #TacklingG13, we are intensifying our efforts to ensure that every vehicle on our roads meets the required minimum safety standards and that operators who disregard the law are held to account,” Diale-Tlabela reiterated.
The department explained that the stop-and-search operations form part of the Department’s ongoing road safety campaign aimed at improving compliance, reducing road crashes and fatalities, as well as promoting responsible behaviour among all road users.
Diale-Tlabela has repeated her call to all road users, from motorists, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians, to always exercise caution, prioritise safety, take responsibility, and comply with all laws.
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