Mogale City traffic operation targets unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed drivers
Recent provincial transport blitzes result in scores of traffic infringements, impounded minibuses, and multiple arrests in high-impact corridors.
More than 200 traffic infringement notices and 42 discontinuation notices were issued in Mogale City during Gauteng’s latest public transport enforcement operations.
According to Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport head of communications Melitah Madiba, the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other law-enforcement agencies, conducted stop-and-search and high-impact enforcement operations across major metropolitan municipalities from September 14 to 20.
Mogale City targeted in enforcement drive
The operations were conducted under the #RemoveSkorokoro campaign and focused on high-risk public transport corridors, with attention given to roadworthiness, valid documentation, driver compliance and other regulatory requirements.
Madiba said officers identified continued non-compliance among public transport operators and drivers during the reporting period.
• Also read: Unlicensed drivers, unsafe taxis flagged in Mogale City crackdown
Across the province, 70 minibus taxis were found operating without valid licence discs, while 104 minibus taxi drivers were operating without valid driving licences.
A further 69 minibuses were discontinued after being found to be unroadworthy, while 19 minibus taxis were impounded for failing to meet minimum road safety standards.
Defective vehicles and unlicensed drivers flagged
Critical safety defects identified during the operations included defective braking systems, worn tyres, non-functional headlights and brake lights, faulty indicators and other mechanical faults that rendered vehicles unsafe for use on public roads.
GTI officers issued 850 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) infringement notices across the province, comprising 151 in Tshwane, 86 in Mogale City, 163 in Ekurhuleni, 324 in Johannesburg and 121 in Sedibeng.
• Also read: Mogale City taxi crackdown: Unsafe vehicles taken off the road
A further 545 electronic infringement notices were processed through the Inspectorate’s e-Force devices. These included 104 in Tshwane, 165 in Mogale City, 126 in Johannesburg, 159 in Ekurhuleni and 92 in Sedibeng.
The latest operations also resulted in 75 discontinuation notices being issued, including 42 in Mogale City, 24 in Johannesburg, five in Ekurhuleni, three in Tshwane and one in Sedibeng.
Five arrests made during week-long operations
Five arrests were made during the reporting period. Three were for bribery, and two were for contravening the Immigration Act.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the discontinuation and impoundment of unroadworthy vehicles was necessary to protect commuters and other road users.
She warned that drivers operating without valid driving licences and taxis operating without valid licence discs would not be tolerated.
The MEC said engagements with the minibus taxi industry would continue and that enforcement operations would continue, with non-compliant drivers and vehicles removed from public roads.
Madiba said the latest enforcement results form part of the department’s ongoing road safety and regulatory compliance efforts to ensure motorists and public transport operators comply with applicable road and transport legislation.
