A significant operation in Tshwane’s Soshanguve area saw more than 250 taxis removed from the roads in a massive crackdown on unroadworthy vehicles. The enforcement operation, carried out early Friday morning, was a joint effort by the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), National Traffic Police, the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit, and the Tshwane Metro Police, as well as the South African Police. This pre-dawn operation targeted taxis operating without proper permits, those suspected of being stolen, and vehicles failing to meet safety standards.
According to the RTMC, a total of 264 local taxis were pulled from the roads and subjected to inspections. During the checks, many taxis were found to have major defects, including cracked windscreens, expired vehicle licence discs, and unqualified drivers without public driving permits or valid licences. The operation was part of a broader effort to ensure that taxis on the road are compliant with the necessary road regulations, with a particular focus on safeguarding public safety ahead of the festive season.
In addition to the impounded taxis, 18 vehicles were confiscated due to various defects, and one driver was arrested for possessing fraudulent documents. The RTMC also imposed fines on several taxi drivers for the irregularities uncovered during the operation. The operation in Soshanguve is part of an ongoing effort to improve road safety across South Africa, with similar operations planned for other areas in the lead-up to the busy holiday season.
The crackdown has sparked mixed reactions, with some taxi drivers expressing frustration over the strict enforcement of regulations, while others have welcomed the move as necessary for ensuring the safety of passengers. Many drivers who were fined for minor issues, such as cracked windscreens or expired licences, argued that the penalties were overly harsh given the financial strain many face. However, the RTMC has stressed the importance of compliance, stating that the safety of commuters must always be the priority.
In a related operation, a 59-year-old licence examiner from the Temba driving licence testing centre in Hammanskraal was arrested after being caught attempting to bribe an anti-corruption investigator. The official, who had been under investigation for his involvement in fraudulent licensing practices, offered R50,000 to the investigators in an attempt to suppress the evidence against him. The bribe was part of a wider investigation by the RTMC’s National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit and the Hawks into corrupt activities at the centre.
The arrest of the licence examiner highlights the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within South Africa’s driving licence system, a key area of concern given the country’s history of fraudulent practices. The RTMC has vowed to continue its fight against corruption and unroadworthy vehicles, with more operations planned to ensure the safety and integrity of South Africa’s roadways. As the festive season approaches, the authorities are determined to crack down on any illegal activities that could jeopardise public safety.
