The Gauteng Department of Transport has confirmed that more than 60 unroadworthy taxis were impounded during intensified law enforcement operations across the province in the past week.
The clampdown formed part of a broader initiative to improve commuter safety and compliance within the taxi industry. According to the provincial inspectorate, officers also issued just over 1,000 infringement notices to operators and drivers for a range of violations.
Serious Safety Concerns
Gauteng MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale Tlabela, expressed concern about the alarming number of unlicensed taxi drivers on the roads, warning that this reckless behavior endangers the lives of both passengers and other motorists.
“The department cannot tolerate operators who disregard the law and continue to put lives at risk,” said Tlabela. “This kind of conduct is a direct threat to road safety in our province.”
Disturbing Findings
Transport department spokesperson Lesiba Mpya detailed the offences uncovered during the week-long operations. These ranged from defective brakes, malfunctioning lights, and incomplete documentation to more serious violations involving unlicensed operators.
“In total, 52 taxi drivers were caught operating without valid driving licenses, while 92 were found driving with no form of licence at all,” Mpya said. He added that inspectors also uncovered widespread illegal operations, which have raised further concerns about safety in the public transport sector.
Gauteng Transport: Road Safety Priority
The Gauteng Transport Department has reiterated its commitment to clamping down on lawlessness in the taxi industry. Officials say enforcement operations will continue, with an emphasis on removing dangerous vehicles and unqualified drivers from the roads.
“We want to assure the public that these operations will not stop. Road safety remains our top priority, and operators who refuse to comply with regulations will face the full might of the law,” Tlabela concluded.
The recent crackdown sends a strong warning to non-compliant taxi operators as authorities push to restore confidence in the province’s public transport system.
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