Zanoxolo Jozana
Twenty-one unroadworthy minibus taxis were taken off Gauteng roads and another 16 vehicles impounded during a week-long crackdown that also resulted in 1,601 traffic infringement notices and five arrests.
The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) conducted stop-and-search operations between 1 and 8 November 2026 under the provincial Department of Roads and Transport’s #RemoveSkorokoro campaign, targeting unsafe public transport vehicles and non-compliant drivers.
Inspectors found 57 taxis operating without valid licence discs and 63 drivers without valid driving licences.
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The operations also resulted in four motorists being arrested for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, while another person was arrested for attempted bribery.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said the crackdown was necessary to protect passengers and other road users.
“Road safety cannot be compromised. Public transport vehicles must meet the minimum safety standards, and drivers must have requisite licences to operate.”
According to the department, officers issued 727 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) infringement notices across the province.
Ekurhuleni recorded the highest number at 321, followed by Johannesburg with 246, Sedibeng with 83 and Tshwane with 77.
A further 874 electronic infringement notices were processed through the Inspectorate’s e-Force devices, with Johannesburg accounting for 392, Ekurhuleni 346, Sedibeng 85 and Tshwane 51.
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Inspectors also issued 47 vehicle discontinuation notices, including 25 in Ekurhuleni, 10 in Sedibeng, nine in Johannesburg and three in Tshwane.
The department separately reported that 21 unroadworthy minibus taxis had been discontinued and 16 vehicles impounded. It did not specify whether all the impounded vehicles were taxis.
The inspections focused on vehicle roadworthiness, driver compliance and valid documentation, with defective brakes, worn tyres and faulty lights among the safety problems identified.
Department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya said the campaign was aimed at strengthening road safety and regulatory compliance across Gauteng.
“The stop-and-search and high-impact operations form part of the #RemoveSkorokoro campaign, which aims to strengthen road safety and regulatory compliance across Gauteng. To improve visibility and strengthen accountability, GTI officers issued 727 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) infringement notices across the province,” said Mpya.
The operations were conducted in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other law enforcement agencies.
The department said it would continue working with enforcement agencies and the public transport industry to improve compliance and remove unsafe vehicles from Gauteng roads.
