Over 100 minibuses have been taken off Gauteng roads after inspections revealed shocking safety hazards, including faulty brakes, worn tyres, and broken lights, putting passengers and other road users at serious risk.
The enforcement operations were carried out across key public and scholar transport corridors in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
Between 1 and 7 February, intensified law enforcement operations by the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), saw over 100 minibuses removed from the roads after failing to meet essential roadworthiness standards.
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said that the enforcement operations also targeted non-compliant operators.
“During this period, our officers issued more than 500 manual infringement notices, while a further 667 electronic notices were processed using GTI’s advanced e-Force enforcement devices. In addition, 151 discontinue notices were served to motorists found violating traffic regulations,” the department confirmed.
The department also highlighted serious non-compliance offences uncovered during the operations, including 108 minibus taxi operators driving without valid licences and 52 minibuses operating without valid licence discs. Beyond traffic violations, the crackdown also targeted broader criminal activity, resulting in 11 arrests for driving under the influence (DUI).
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, reiterated the province’s zero-tolerance stance on road safety.
“We will not allow profit to be placed above people’s lives. Any vehicle that threatens the safety of our commuters or road users has no place on Gauteng roads. Our message is clear: comply or face the full might of the law.”
Diale-Tlabela also reaffirmed that the discontinuation of unroadworthy vehicles remains critical to prevention of crashes, injuries, and fatalities, particularly within the public and scholar transport sector.
She added that the operations extend across the entire province.
“As part of #Tackling13, a provincial initiative targeting key, high-impact challenges, these enforcement operations are part of a coordinated strategy to curb lawlessness, combat criminal activity, and strengthen compliance with traffic legislation, with a particular focus on public and scholar transport,” she said.
The Star