The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate found 296 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licences and 268 minibuses without valid licence discs during enforcement operations across Gauteng in August 2026. Inspectors also impounded 13 taxis and discontinued 84 vehicles after finding roadworthiness and compliance problems.
The operations targeted major public transport corridors across the province and focused on driver compliance, vehicle safety, operating documents and adherence to road traffic and public transport legislation.
The findings have prompted Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale Tlabela to raise concerns about unsafe vehicles and unlicensed drivers transporting passengers on the province’s roads.
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Hundreds of taxis and drivers found without valid documents
According to the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate, 268 minibuses checked during the reporting period were operating without valid licence discs.
Another 296 minibus taxi drivers were found driving without valid driving licences.
The figures mean inspectors recorded more than 500 instances involving either drivers without valid driving licences or minibuses without valid licence discs during August.
The enforcement campaign formed part of targeted operations aimed at identifying vehicles and drivers that did not comply with road traffic and public transport requirements.
84 taxis declared unroadworthy
Vehicle condition was another major focus of the inspections.
The operations resulted in 13 minibus taxis being impounded, while 84 taxis were discontinued after inspectors declared them unroadworthy and unsafe for use on public roads.
According to the information released on the enforcement campaign, defects identified on affected vehicles included:
- Cracked windscreens
- Damaged or torn seats
- Engine related problems
- Other mechanical faults considered dangerous to passengers and road users
Diale Tlabela said mechanical defects should not be treated simply as administrative compliance problems.
“A vehicle with defective brakes, worn tyres or faulty lights is not merely non compliant; it is a potential death trap,” the MEC said.
Johannesburg recorded most discontinuation notices
A total of 97 discontinuation notices were issued across Gauteng during the reporting period.
Johannesburg accounted for 74 notices, considerably more than the other areas listed in the enforcement results.
Ten notices were issued in Ekurhuleni, seven in Tshwane, four in Mogale City and two in Sebokeng.
The figures show that enforcement was carried out across several parts of the province rather than being limited to one municipality or public transport route.
Inspectors were checking whether vehicles were safe to operate and whether drivers and operators had the required documentation.
16 motorists arrested during operations
The enforcement campaign also resulted in 16 motorists being arrested.
The offences linked to the arrests included driving under the influence, bribery and fraud.
According to Diale Tlabela, the arrests demonstrate the Inspectorate’s approach to both road traffic violations and alleged criminal conduct encountered during enforcement operations.
The MEC said authorities would continue working with law enforcement partners to identify risks on Gauteng roads.
Thousands of infringement notices issued
The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate also issued thousands of infringement notices during August.
More than 2 000 handwritten Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences infringement notices were issued during the reporting period.
The figures provided for individual areas included 438 notices in Tshwane, 516 in Ekurhuleni, 443 in Johannesburg, 1 270 in Sebokeng, 23 in the Sedibeng District Municipality and 150 in Mogale City.
Another 3 517 electronic infringement notices were issued using the Inspectorate’s electronic enforcement devices.
The enforcement figures cover a broader range of road traffic violations and are not limited to minibus taxi operators.
MEC raises concern over continued non compliance
Diale Tlabela said the continued discovery of unroadworthy vehicles, unlicensed drivers and minibuses without valid licence discs was deeply concerning.
“There is no justification for putting passengers and other road users at risk by operating vehicles that are mechanically unsafe or allowing incompetent and unlicensed drivers to take to our roads,” she said.
The MEC also warned that allowing vehicles without valid licence discs or drivers without valid licences to operate undermines efforts to improve safety within the public transport system.
“We will continue working with our law enforcement partners to identify and remove these dangers from our roads,” Diale Tlabela said.
Taxi owners urged to use recapitalisation programme
The MEC has also encouraged operators with old and unroadworthy minibuses to consider the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme.
The programme provides a process through which qualifying old minibus taxis can be scrapped instead of remaining in operation.
Taxi owners whose vehicles qualify can receive a scrapping allowance after completing the required process.
According to the information provided, only vehicles registered before 4 September 2006 qualify under the programme requirements.
Operators who need assistance or further information have been advised to approach their nearest Transport Operating Licensing Administrative Board office.
What This Means for Gauteng Residents
Minibus taxis form part of the daily public transport network used across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, Sedibeng and the West Rand.
The August enforcement results show that inspectors are checking both the condition of taxis and whether drivers and vehicles have the documents required to operate legally.
For passengers, the findings are particularly relevant because the inspections identified vehicles with mechanical problems alongside drivers without valid driving licences.
Motorists are also affected because unroadworthy vehicles and unlicensed drivers share Gauteng’s roads with private vehicles, buses, pedestrians and other road users.
The provincial government says enforcement operations will continue with law enforcement partners as authorities seek to remove unsafe vehicles and address non compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Gauteng taxi drivers were found without valid driving licences?
The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate found 296 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licences during enforcement operations in August 2026.
How many taxis were operating without valid licence discs?
Inspectors found 268 minibuses operating without valid licence discs during the reporting period.
How many taxis were removed from operation?
Thirteen minibus taxis were impounded, while 84 were discontinued after inspectors found roadworthiness and safety problems.
Why were some taxis declared unroadworthy?
The defects identified included cracked windscreens, damaged or torn seats, engine related problems and other serious mechanical faults.
What can owners of old unroadworthy taxis do?
Diale Tlabela has encouraged qualifying operators to use the Taxi Recapitalisation Programme. Under the programme, qualifying older taxis can be scrapped in exchange for a scrapping allowance. According to the information provided, vehicles must have been registered before 4 September 2006 to qualify.
Gauteng enforcement set to continue
The August figures have placed renewed attention on compliance within Gauteng’s minibus taxi sector, particularly the validity of driver licences, vehicle licence discs and the mechanical condition of vehicles carrying passengers.
With hundreds of drivers and vehicles found without valid documentation and dozens of taxis declared unroadworthy, provincial authorities say enforcement will continue across Gauteng’s public transport network.
Diale Tlabela said the province would continue working with law enforcement agencies to identify unsafe vehicles and drivers and remove risks from Gauteng roads.
