Over 100 minibus drivers caught without valid licences in Gauteng stop‑and‑searches

Gauteng transport inspectors uncovered widespread non‑compliance among minibus taxi operators during stop‑and‑search operations between 21 and 27 September 2026. The operations found 105 drivers operating without valid driving licences, according to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport.

Key findings from the inspections

Inspectors from the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) and other law‑enforcement agencies recorded several enforcement outcomes during the week of checks:

• 105 minibus taxi drivers were found operating without valid driving licences.
• 62 taxis were operating without licence discs.
• 18 minibuses were discontinued after being found unroadworthy.

Vehicle defects and notices

Officers reportedly identified multiple critical safety defects that rendered vehicles unsafe for public roads. These included defective braking systems, worn tyres, non‑functional headlights and brake lights, faulty indicators and other mechanical faults. Inspectors issued 43 discontinuation notices across Gauteng.

Enforcement actions and arrests

During the reporting period, inspectors arrested two people for driving under the influence. Enforcement also produced a large number of infringement notices: 779 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) notices and 679 electronic infringement notices processed through the Inspectorate’s e‑Force devices.

Official reaction

MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale‑Tlabela said the recurring detection of drivers without valid licences demands sustained intervention and closer cooperation with the public transport industry. She said:

“The latest enforcement results demonstrate the importance of continued law enforcement along our public transport corridors.”

Diale‑Tlabela also warned that vehicles and drivers who pose a threat to the lives of passengers and other road users would be dealt with decisively:

“We will not compromise on road safety.”

Ongoing problem

The department said that despite regular high‑impact stop‑and‑search operations led by the GTI, the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other agencies, non‑compliance among taxi drivers remains a massive problem that threatens road safety and places road users at risk.