The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), conducted high-impact stop-and-search operations from February 16 to 22 across Johannesburg and Tshwane.
The operations form part of a coordinated strategy to tackle lawlessness, combat criminality, and improve compliance with traffic legislation, particularly within the public transport sector.
They also target major public and scholar transport corridors identified as high-risk areas due to non-compliance and road safety violations.
The operations resulted in:• 19 minibuses discontinued for failure to meet critical road safety requirements.• 60 vehicles were issued with discontinuation notices.
Defects identified included faulty brakes, worn tyres, broken headlights, defective brake lights or indicators, and cracked windscreens – all of which pose serious risks to road users.
In addition, officers issued infringement notices to non-compliant public transport operators.• More than 600 manual infringement notices were issued.• 877 electronic notices were processed using GTI’s advanced e-Force devices.
Further non-compliance identified during operations included:• 89 minibus taxi operators were found driving without valid driving licences.• 54 minibuses operating without valid licence discs.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport highlighted that driving a vehicle without a valid driving licence is an offence that results in a fine.
“This can also lead to the offender having a criminal record and/or impoundment if no licensed driver is present to take over the vehicle. Vehicle impoundments carry incremental monetary penalties for public transport operators, in particular, for first and subsequent offences.”
Officers also arrested motorists for several serious offences:• 12 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI).• One was arrested for fraud.• One was arrested for reckless and negligent driving.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, commended the GTI for its consistent and proactive enforcement approach.
“These weekly results demonstrate our commitment to creating a safer, more compliant transport environment.
“The work of the Inspectorate to discontinue 19 minibuses, in a single week, sends a clear and uncompromising message that Gauteng will not tolerate criminality,corruption, or total disregard for road regulations,” Diale-Tlabela said.
She noted that the stop-and-search operations are key pillars of the province’s quest for safer roads and traffic law enforcement strategy.
She added that discontinuing the use of unroadworthy vehicles is necessary to protect lives on the province’s roads and pleaded for patience and understanding during the operations.
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