Gauteng operations remove 99 taxis and private vehicles over safety defects

Gauteng traffic law enforcement officers removed 99 minibus taxis and private vehicles from the roads after issuing discontinuation notices during week-long stop-and-search operations that targeted unroadworthy vehicles and public transport non-compliance.

What officers found

During operations conducted across Gauteng from 20 to 26 July 2026, officers discovered vehicles with serious mechanical defects including faulty brakes, worn tyres, defective headlights and cracked windscreens.

Enforcement actions taken

Authorities issued discontinuation and infringement notices to taxi operators who failed to comply with road traffic legislation. A total of 34 minibus taxi drivers were found operating without valid driving licences, and 53 drivers were operating without valid licence discs.

Officers impounded 42 vehicles during operations in the Laudium and Olievenhoutbosch areas; these included 19 minibus taxis, 17 private vehicles and six learner transport vehicles.

Arrests and fines

Law enforcement arrested 36 motorists on a range of offences, including fraud, cable theft, contravention of the Immigration Act, attempted bribery, defeating or obstructing the administration of justice, driving under the influence, and reckless and negligent driving.

More than 700 manual AARTO infringement notices were issued across the province: 77 in Tshwane, 321 in Ekurhuleni, 246 in Johannesburg and 83 in Sedibeng. In addition, authorities issued 60 traffic fines for various violations and 41 J534 guilt fines, along with 874 electronic infringement notices.

Official response

The MEC of Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, warned motorists and operators who continue to drive under the influence of alcohol, operate without valid driving licences or disregard road traffic laws that they will face the full might of the law.

“Law enforcement agencies will continue to conduct high-impact law-enforcement operations to protect motorists and commuters alike,” the MEC added.

The department said the operations are critical to road safety, regulatory compliance and traffic law enforcement strategy, and that they help disrupt criminal activities, improve visibility and remove unsafe and unroadworthy vehicles.

Call to public transport operators

The Department of Roads and Transport called on public transport operators, particularly minibus taxi and scholar transport operators, to visit their nearest Transport Operating Licensing Administrative Boards (TOLAB) offices to verify application statuses and/or collect operating licences.