KwaZulu-Natal's Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) has impounded 11 heavy commercial vehicles during an intelligence-driven operation targeting non-compliant freight operators across the province.
Operation #NenzaniLaEzweni focused on operators allegedly attempting to evade law enforcement by travelling at night, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said.
RTI officers identified trucks fitted with severely worn tyres, operating without valid transport permits, carrying fraudulent roadworthiness certificates, or transporting abnormal loads that exceeded legal size or weight limits.
"The operation, which began at the crack of dawn, targeted certain freight companies that deliberately operate at night to avoid detection," Duma said.
He said authorities had adopted a zero-tolerance approach to trucks operating with worn tyres, particularly along key freight corridors such as the N3.
"Worn-out tyres lack the necessary tread to maintain grip, making them prone to skidding, especially on wet surfaces," Duma said. "Without adequate tread, tyres require more time and distance to bring a heavy truck to a complete stop, which is particularly hazardous in emergency situations."
Duma also raised concerns about what he described as an influx of cheap, illegal imported tyres.
"These tyres, which are no longer used in other countries, have found a market here. They are not only hazardous and unsafe for use, but they are also not designed for our road networks," he said.
He added that the provincial government would work with tyre manufacturers and other industry stakeholders to develop a coordinated response as part of its broader road safety campaign.
Duma reminded freight operators that all tyres fitted to commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles and trailers must comply with the South African Bureau of Standards' compulsory safety specifications.
The enforcement drive comes amid ongoing safety concerns on the N3. According to the N3 Toll Concession's latest data, single-vehicle crashes accounted for 60.4% of all incidents on the route at the end of 2025, with loss of control – often linked to mechanical defects, tyre failures and driver fatigue – identified as the leading cause.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation's 2024/25 annual report recorded a 2.43% increase in road fatalities to 12 172 in 2024, with heavy commercial vehicles remaining disproportionately involved in serious crashes despite accounting for a relatively small share of registered vehicles.
