By JOHANNESBURG — In a stern pushback against road traffic violations and public transport non-compliance, the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) has flagged 46 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licences across various provincial corridors.
The targeted operations, which underscore a growing concern over repeat offenders behind the wheel, form a core part of the provincial government’s ongoing #RemoveSkorokoro campaign.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, expressed deep concern over the findings, warning that regulatory non-compliance places innocent passenger lives and other road users at severe risk.
Sweeping Enforcement Yields Hundreds of Fines and Arrests
Conducted between 01 and 04 October 2026 in collaboration with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other law enforcement bodies, the recent operations concentrated heavily on major public transport corridors. Inspectors thoroughly examined vehicles for roadworthiness, valid documentation, driver compliance, and adherence to general road traffic and public transport legislation.
The enforcement blitz produced significant operational outputs across Gauteng’s major metropolitan areas:
- Unlicensed and Unroadworthy Fleet: Authorities identified 22 minibus taxis operating without valid licence discs. A total of 15 unroadworthy minibus taxis posing a direct safety hazard were immediately discontinued, alongside 18 vehicle discontinuation notices distributed across Tshwane (4), Ekurhuleni (10), and Johannesburg (4).
- Infringement Notices: To drive accountability, GTI officers issued 664 handwritten AARTO infringement notices—broken down into 52 in Tshwane, 251 in Ekurhuleni, and 361 in Johannesburg. An additional 390 electronic infringement notices were processed via e-Force devices, comprising 20 in Tshwane, 220 in Johannesburg, and 150 in Ekurhuleni.
- Criminal Arrests: Beyond traffic violations, officers apprehended one motorist found in possession of a stolen vehicle, while six others were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI).
A Call for Stronger Industry Cooperation
MEC Diale-Tlabela praised the GTI officers for their dedication and professionalism, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to apply traffic regulations strictly and without fear or favour.
“These operations demonstrate that we will not allow regulatory non-compliance as well as non-adherence to road traffic laws that put the lives of passengers and other road users at risk,” MEC Diale-Tlabela warned.
The Department maintains that sustained engagement, public education, and stronger cooperation with the public transport sector remain vital to ensuring that all operators meet legally mandated minimum safety standards.
