By 
GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA — In a bid to bolster accountability and restore market confidence within the province’s vital transit network, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with organised taxi leadership while overhauling its administrative practices.
MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, clarified the provincial government’s stance following friction with the Gauteng Taxi Industry (GTI) concerning stakeholder engagement protocols and the current operating licence issuing framework.
A Microeconomic Pillar Under Scrutiny
Minibus taxis serve as the financial and logistical backbone of Gauteng’s urban economy, facilitating daily labour mobility for millions of commuters. However, structural bottlenecks, administrative backlogs, and market friction have long hindered the sector’s formal efficiency.
Addressing recent industry concerns, MEC Diale-Tlabela emphasized that ongoing government interventions are fundamentally aligned with statutory obligations to build an integrated, secure, and accountable transport infrastructure.
“The taxi industry remains a critical pillar in the provision of public transport services, moving millions of Gauteng residents daily. The Department values its long-standing relationship with organised taxi leadership and remains committed to building a safe, reliable and commuter-centred public transport system,” stated MEC Diale-Tlabela.
To ensure institutional stability, the Department maintains structured quarterly dialogues with provincial taxi leadership to address emerging market distortions and operational grievances.
Cleaning Up the Operating Licence System
The crux of the current regulatory shift centres on a comprehensive review of the province’s operating licence issuing model. According to the Department, this regulatory intervention was prompted by persistent complaints originating from within the transport sector itself regarding administrative mismanagement and systemic corruption.
Preliminary findings from the ongoing review have already exposed significant operational discrepancies that require immediate verification. Key elements of the reform include:
- Combating Systemic Corruption: Decisive administrative action to eliminate irregularities, protect legitimate transport operators, and rebuild public trust in state systems.
- Oversight on TOLABs: While Transport Operating Licence Administrative Bodies (TOLABS) continue day-to-day statutory operations, the Department is asserting strict oversight to guarantee lawful and transparent processing.
- Weekly Licence Issuance: The province continues to process and issue valid operating permits to qualifying public transport providers on a weekly basis.
Strict Deadline Issued for Licence Collections
As part of the operational clean-up, the provincial government has issued an ultimatum to operators—particularly minibus and scholar transport providers—, who have pending, approved permits awaiting collection.
Operators notified via direct SMS or through their respective taxi associations must collect their documentation before the strict deadline of Friday, 14 August 2026. Unclaimed licences after this cut-off date risk immediate cancellation, a move intended to clear administrative backlogs and accurately assess active route capacity.
By pairing tight regulatory enforcement with open institutional dialogue, Gauteng aims to stabilize its informal transport ecosystem, ensuring fair market access for compliant operators while safeguarding public mobility.
