The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) has intensified its high-impact stop-and-search operations, yielding significant enforcement breakthroughs and strengthening the province’s strategy to combat criminality, eradicate lawlessness and ensure compliance with traffic regulations.

The department stated that its GTI officers conducted operations across all major provincial corridors between October 20 and 26.

Officers issued several infringement notices to non-compliant public transport operators, addressed unroadworthy vehicles and made arrests linked to serious traffic offences.

They issued over 400 manual infringement notices, with an additional 535 processed electronically through the GTI’s e-Force system.

The department also stated that the operations resulted in officers issuing discontinuation notices to 215 vehicles for non-compliance with road safety regulations. Officers also impounded 13 buses, seven minibuses, and six seven-seater vehicles for severe violations.

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Concerning facts uncovered:
• 114 minibus taxi operators drove without valid licences;
• 63 minibuses operated without licence discs;
• Officers had to discontinue 120 minibuses for various forms of non-compliance.

The department added that officers made seven arrests: Two for fraud, three for attempted bribery, one for interfering with law enforcement duties and one for driving under the influence of alcohol.

“These results underscore the inspectorate’s commitment to tackling traffic violations and criminal conduct on Gauteng’s roads,” said the department.

Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela commended the officers for maintaining law and order.

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“The outcomes of these operations demonstrate our firm stance against lawlessness and commitment to protecting the lives of commuters and all road users.

“Targeted enforcement actions such as these are critical to restoring discipline in the public transport sector and holding offenders accountable.

“The department will continue to intensify similar operations to ensure full compliance and enhance road safety throughout the province,” said Diale-Tlabela.

The department stated that the stop-and-searches were part of the provincial government’s commitment to enforcing traffic laws compliance, improving law enforcement visibility and sending a clear message that lawlessness would not be tolerated.

With 96 officers, the GTI remains steadfast in its mission to enhance road safety, clamp down on illegal operations and uphold the rule of law across the province.