The Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) has intensified its high-impact stop-and-search operations as part of the province’s broader strategy to tackle crime and strengthen compliance with traffic laws.
According to the department, during recent stop-and-search operations, officers issued infringement notices to non-compliant public transport operators and effected arrests linked to serious traffic violations and attempted bribery.
“In total, over 700 manual infringement notices were issued with a further 827 processed electronically through GTI’s e-force gadget. In the high-impact operations, 72 vehicles were served with discontinue notices for non-compliance with various road safety regulations, while one vehicle was impounded for consequential violations,” the department said.
“The stop-and-search operations also exposed more serious offences. Two motorists were arrested for attempting to bribe officers,” it said.
In one case, the suspect had allegedly contravened the Immigration Act and, in the other, the suspect had allegedly committed the crime of assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm against an officer.
The department said tensions had escalated on Friday when taxi drivers attacked GTI officers near the Randburg Taxi Rank in Johannesburg.
“An instigator, a driver affiliated with the Alexandra Taxi Association, was promptly arrested for inciting violence against officers, organising a mob to block the road and throw stones at them, damage to state property (vehicle) and assaulting a female officer, causing GBH,” the department said.
“These arrests underscore the inspectorate’s determination to confront not only road safety breaches but also criminal behaviour that undermines law-enforcement,” it said.
Undertaken daily, the operations form part of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to enforce compliance with traffic laws, improve visibility and ensure that lawlessness will not be tolerated.
