The Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate (GTI) executed week-long stop-and-search enforcement operations between October 5 and October 11 as part of measures to curb road fatalities, enhance operator compliance, and restore order on transport corridors.

The GTI undertook operations covering major metropolitan areas, including the cities of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Ekurhuleni, as well as key regional routes through Mogale City.

Law enforcement officers focused heavily on public transport regulation, vehicle fitness, and high-risk driver behaviour.

Throughout the seven-day period, officers employed a hybrid approach to enforcement under the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences framework, combining digital e-force technology with handwritten citations.

Officers recorded 215 e-force notices and 176 handwritten notices in the City of Ekurhuleni. During the reporting period, GTI officers served 34 discontinuation notices across the province.

These make a vehicle legally banned from operating on public roads until all mechanical and safety defects are certified as resolved.

Of the 34 total vehicle discontinuations, 27 were minibus taxis, which officers removed directly from service as high-risk vehicles.

In addition to administrative penalties, GTI officers arrested three motorists for driving under the influence and another for allegedly obstructing officers in the execution of their duties.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela highlighted consistent non-compliance by public transport operators as a matter requiring special attention.

She pleaded with motorists, fleet operators, and public transport associations to ensure full statutory compliance, including vehicle roadworthiness, licensing, and driver certification before taking to the road.

“We reiterate that safety remains a major priority on public roads in the province,” said Diale-Tlabela.

“Consistency in non-compliance has prompted the department to instruct officials to take decisive actions to clamp down on a variety of unacceptable and illegal trends, including impoundments and arrests, as permitted by law.”

The GTI is working to partner with local metropolitan departments to scale up operations, enhance visible policing, leverage digital e-force tools, and conduct unannounced public transport checks across all major regional corridors.