More than 100 Gauteng taxi drivers found operating without valid licences

In a series of stop-and-search operations conducted by the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) from 14 to 20 September 2026, over 100 taxi drivers were discovered operating without valid licences. Collaborating with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) and other law enforcement agencies, GTI identified non-compliance among public transport operators and drivers.

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport reported that 70 minibus taxis were found without valid licence discs, while 104 minibus taxis operated without valid driving licences. A total of 69 minibus taxis were discontinued due to being unroadworthy and posing a safety risk to passengers and other road users. Additionally, 19 minibus taxis were impounded for failing to meet minimum road safety standards.

Critical safety issues such as defective braking systems, worn tyres, non-functional headlights, brake lights, faulty indicators and other mechanical faults were also flagged. GTI officers issued 850 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) infringement notices and processed 646 electronic infringement notices.

Three individuals were arrested for bribery, and two for contravening the Immigration Act. The Gauteng MEC for roads and transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, emphasized that discontinuing and impounding unroadworthy vehicles is crucial to protect commuters and all road users. She warned that the department will not tolerate drivers who continue to operate without valid licences or taxis operating without valid licence discs, stating that such actions put passengers and other road users at risk.

Diale-Tlabela stated that the department remains committed to engaging with the minibus taxi industry until this trend ends, and enforcement operations will continue to remove non-compliant drivers and vehicles from public roads.