Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has commended the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) for its continued dedication and professionalism in enforcing traffic and public transport laws across the province.

The MEC’s applause follows high-impact stop-and-search operations conducted by GTI officers, in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other law-enforcement agencies, as part of the department’s ongoing #RemoveSkorokoro campaign.

The road department stated that between September 21 and 27, GTI conducted targeted enforcement operations along major public transport corridors, focusing on roadworthiness, valid documentation, driver compliance and adherence to road traffic and public transport legislation.

According to the department, during the week-long operations, 18 minibuses were withdrawn after being found unroadworthy and posing a serious risk to passengers and other road users.

The department said officers also identified critical safety defects, including defective braking systems, worn tyres, non-functional headlights and brake lights, faulty indicators, and other mechanical faults that made the vehicles unsafe for public roads.

The operations also resulted in 43 discontinuation notices being issued across the province. These comprised nine in Tshwane, 11 in Ekurhuleni and 23 in Johannesburg.

The department said GTI officers also uncovered concerning levels of non-compliance among minibus taxi operators.
A total of 62 minibuses were found operating without valid licence discs, while 105 minibus taxi drivers were found operating without valid driving licences.

The department said that the enforcement operations also resulted in two arrests for driving under the influence (DUI), highlighting the Inspectorate’s resolve to address traffic violations and conduct that places the lives of passengers and other road users at risk.

The road department noted that to strengthen accountability and ensure that traffic violations are dealt with, officers issued 779 handwritten AARTO infringement notices during the reporting period.

These comprised 312 in Tshwane, 162 in Ekurhuleni and 305 in Johannesburg. The Inspectorate processed a further 679 electronic infringement notices through its e-Force devices. These comprised 220 in Tshwane, 281 in Johannesburg and 178 in Ekurhuleni.

Remarking on the enforcement results, Diale-Tlabela said the continued detection of drivers operating without valid driving licences requires sustained intervention and closer cooperation with the public transport industry.

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“The latest enforcement results demonstrate the importance of continued law enforcement along our public transport corridors.

“We will continue working with law-enforcement agencies and the public transport industry to ensure that drivers and vehicles comply with the law and that the safety of passengers and other road users remains a priority,” said the MEC.

She added that the latest enforcement results are part of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s broader efforts to strengthen compliance with road traffic and public transport legislation.

“We will not compromise on road safety. Vehicles and drivers that threaten the lives of passengers and other road users must be dealt with decisively.

“Through sustained enforcement, stronger cooperation with law-enforcement agencies and continued engagement with the public transport industry, we will ensure that compliance remains at the centre of our efforts to make Gauteng’s roads safer,” she warned.