{
  "id": 7548262,
  "title": "‘No place for criminality’ in Gauteng public transport system, says MEC",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/no-place-for-criminality-in-gauteng-public-transport-system-says-mec",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-15T12:05:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/no-place-for-criminality-in-gauteng-public-transport-system-says-mec/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gauteng's MEC for roads and transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, has denounced recent abuses such as intimidation, threats, and extortion within the taxi sector. In a statement on Saturday, Diale-Tlabela expressed worry over allegations that members of the taxi industry are being targeted using fear, coercion, and unlawful means to further their own interests. She firmly stated, \"There is no place for criminality in Gauteng's public transport system,\" and urged all stakeholders to stop intimidation, extortion, threats, violence, and any unlawful behavior. \"No individual or group has the right to use intimidation, threats, or extortion to advance its interests,\" Diale-Tlabela emphasized. She warned that those engaging in such activities will face the full force of the law and that the department will enforce all applicable legal procedures, particularly when unlawful conduct involved an operating license holder. The taxi industry has been directed to settle disputes and differences through established industry frameworks and lawful procedures. Diale-Tlabela emphasized that intimidation and coercion cannot undermine the industry's stability or put the safety and livelihoods of those who rely on it at risk. Meanwhile, Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) officers collaborated with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) to tackle unroadworthy vehicles, invalid documentation, and driver and regulatory non-compliance during a week-long operation from 7 to 13 September 2026. This operation resulted in the identification of 187 minibuses operating without valid license discs, 78 minibus taxi drivers without valid driver's licenses, and the discontinuation of 25 minibus taxis due to safety concerns. During the reporting period, inspectors flagged critical safety issues such as defective braking systems, worn tires, non-functional headlights and brake lights, faulty indicators, and other mechanical failures that rendered the vehicles unsafe for use on public roads. Infringement notices were issued, including 1,033 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto) notices, 1,280 electronic infringement notices processed via e-Force devices, 42 discontinuation notices, and 16 arrests. MEC Diale-Tlabela stressed that enforcement efforts would continue, and non-compliant drivers and vehicles would be removed from the roads.",
  "summary": "'No individual or group has the right to use intimidation, threats or extortion to advance its interests,' warned MEC Diale-Tlabela.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}