Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has applauded the work of the Gauteng Traffic Inspectorate (GTI) for its enforcement efforts to improve compliance with road traffic legislation, combat lawlessness and curb criminal activity in the province.

The GTI, in partnership with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), conducted high-impact stop-and-search operations across major metropolitan municipalities in Gauteng under the #RemoveSkorokoro campaign.

The roads department stated that through targeting high-risk public transport corridors, the operations carried out between August 3 and 9 focused on removing unroadworthy vehicles from the roads, improving compliance with traffic and public transport sector regulations.

The department said during the week-long operations, 14 minibuses were discontinued after officers identified serious mechanical defects. These included faulty brakes, worn tyres, and defective lighting systems, among other safety risks.

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In addition, 20 discontinue notices were issued to noncompliant motorists across the province – two in Tshwane, 13 in Johannesburg, and five in Ekurhuleni.

The department indicated that the operations also uncovered widespread traffic violations. A total of 48 minibus taxi drivers were found operating without valid driving licences, while a further 43 vehicles were found operating without valid licence discs.

The department said that to strengthen compliance and accountability, the inspectorate issued more than 500 manual AARTO infringement notices for various traffic offences.

An additional 647 electronic infringement notices were processed using the Inspectorate’s e-Force devices. This included 252 in Tshwane, 254 in Johannesburg, 64 in Ekurhuleni, 49 in Mogale City, and 26 in Sebokeng.

Remarking on the results, Diale-Tlabela said the discontinuation of unroadworthy minibus taxis demonstrates that the department will not compromise when it comes to the safety of road users.

“A public transport vehicle that is mechanically unsafe has no place on Gauteng’s roads. Discontinuing these vehicles is not about disrupting public transport; it is about preventing avoidable crashes and ensuring that every passenger who uses a public transport vehicle can do so with confidence that their safety is guaranteed,” said Diale-Tlabela.

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Through the on-the-ground engagements with taxi associations, the MEC has continued to raise safety matters and called on the industry to clamp down on or refrain from using incompetent or unlicensed drivers.

She added this undermines the provincial government’s commitment to road safety. She emphasised that the latest enforcement results demonstrate the department’s continued commitment to strengthening compliance and restoring discipline across the province’s roads and public transport system.

“The results send a clear message that lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated. Through sustained stop-and-search operations, we are identifying and removing unsafe vehicles, holding non-compliant motorists accountable, and strengthening adherence to road traffic laws.

“We will continue working with our law-enforcement partners to ensure that Gauteng’s roads are safer and that our public transport system operates within the law,” warned Diale-Tlabela.