By The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), operating in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and multi-agency law enforcement units, has intensified its push against rogue operators under the banner of the #RemoveSkorokoro campaign.
The recent crackdown underscores a zero-tolerance approach toward unroadworthy public transport vehicles and regulatory non-compliance across the province’s major transport corridors.
Heavy Toll on Non-Compliant Operators
Recent enforcement data released by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport highlights the widespread scale of defiance among certain public transport operators, alongside a robust law enforcement response.
Between 1 and 8 November 2026, intensified stop-and-search operations netted 57 minibus taxis operating entirely without licence discs, alongside 63 drivers operating without valid driving licences.
To protect commuters from mechanical hazards, enforcement teams pulled 21 minibus taxis off the road, issuing immediate discontinuations due to severe unroadworthiness that posed direct safety risks to passengers and other motorists.
Inspectors noted critical vehicle defects, including faulty lights, worn tyres, and compromised braking systems. An additional 16 vehicles were impounded during the joint operations.
Enforcing Accountability Through AARTO and e-Force
To bolster visibility and penalize infractions, law enforcement officers issued a staggering 727 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) infringement notices province-wide. The geographic breakdown reveals concentrated enforcement efforts across Gauteng’s economic hubs:
- Ekurhuleni: 321 notices
- City of Johannesburg: 246 notices
- Sedibeng: 83 notices
- City of Tshwane: 77 notices
Complementing the paper trail, officers processed an additional 874 electronic infringement notices via the Inspectorate’s advanced e-Force devices, led by 392 in Johannesburg, 346 in Ekurhuleni, 85 in Sedibeng, and 51 in Tshwane. Furthermore, officers issued a cumulative 47 discontinuation notices across the regions—spanning 25 in Ekurhuleni, 10 in Sedibeng, 9 in Johannesburg, and 3 in Tshwane.
Criminal Arrests and the Human Element
The operation also targeted criminal behaviour behind the wheel. Five individuals were arrested during the reporting period, including four apprehended for driving under the influence (DUI) and one individual arrested on charges of attempted bribery.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, emphasized that commuter safety remains an uncompromised priority for the province.
“Road safety cannot be compromised. Public transport vehicles must meet the minimum safety standards, and drivers must have requisite licences to operate,” MEC Diale-Tlabela stated. “Our commitment to improve visibility, enhance enforcement efforts and work with the public transport industry is unwavering. This to ensure that passengers are transported safely and that all road users are protected.”
Looking Ahead
As the #RemoveSkorokoro campaign gathers momentum, the Department has signaled that high-impact stop-and-search operations will persist. Alongside punitive enforcement, authorities intend to pursue ongoing stakeholder engagements with the minibus taxi industry and law enforcement partners to institutionalize better operator accountability and safeguard Gauteng’s millions of daily commuters.
