Gauteng authorities have intensified their crackdown on unsafe public transport, discontinuing more than 60 unroadworthy minibuses during high-impact stop-and-search operations across key routes in the province.
Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport spokesperson Lesiba Mpya said the operations form part of a coordinated strategy to curb lawlessness, combat criminal activity, and improve compliance with traffic legislation, particularly within the public transport sector.
He said the intensified enforcement drive was conducted between December 8 and 14 across the cities of Johannesburg and Tshwane, focusing on major public transport corridors during the long-week operational cycle.
“Key enforcement outcomes included the discontinuation of 64 unroadworthy minibuses, the issuing of 89 discontinuation notices for non-compliance with road safety regulations, and the issuing of more than 800 manual infringement notices,” Mpya said.
“A further 1,174 electronic infringement notices were processed through GTI e-Force devices, while two vehicles were impounded for failing to meet road safety requirements.”
Mpya added that serious non-compliance was also uncovered, with 168 minibus taxi operators found driving without valid licences and 147 minibuses operating without valid licence discs.
He emphasised that stop-and-search operations remain a key pillar of the province’s road safety and law-enforcement programme, reinforcing compliance through sustained visibility and sending a clear message that lawlessness on Gauteng’s roads will not be tolerated.
Mpya said a dedicated team of 96 officers from the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate remains committed to enhancing road safety, clamping down on illegal operations, and upholding the rule of law across the province.
Meanwhile, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela commended enforcement teams for their decisive action in restoring order on the province’s roads.
“There will be zero tolerance for unroadworthy vehicles, reckless behaviour, or criminality on Gauteng’s roads. Our enforcement teams are acting decisively to protect commuters and ensure full compliance by public transport operators. Road safety is not negotiable, and those who undermine it will be dealt with without exception,” Diale-Tlabela said.
The Star