A major enforcement operation in Johannesburg targeted illegal cross-border and long-distance bus operators as authorities intensified efforts to improve commuter safety and regulatory compliance.
Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, together with the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI), led a large-scale enforcement operation in Johannesburg’s city centre targeting illegal long-distance and cross-border passenger transport operators.
The operation focused on major transport nodes including the Power House and Nugget Street bus terminals, where officials conducted compliance inspections, roadworthiness checks and permit verification exercises.
The MEC was joined by officials from the South African Police Service, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Cross Border Road Transport Agency, Department of Home Affairs and the Border Management Authority.
Authorities said the operation aimed to tackle illegal transport activities, ensure regulatory compliance and improve safety standards within the long-distance passenger transport sector.
At the Power House bus terminal, law-enforcement officials issued 111 AARTO notices and seven Section 44 notices. Officers also addressed seven illegal loading point violations, identified one fraudulent number plate, dealt with two attempted bribery incidents and recorded a case of reckless and negligent driving.
At the Nugget Street bus terminal, authorities impounded one vehicle, discontinued another vehicle from operation, recorded six parking infringements and arrested 40 undocumented immigrants.
MEC Diale-Tlabela said the operation sends a strong message that the Gauteng provincial government will not tolerate illegal operations and criminal activity within the public transport sector.
“This crackdown, targeted at public transport operators, must send a strong and clear message that the provincial government will not tolerate illegal operations, non-compliance and criminality within the cross-border and long-distance transport sector,” she said.
The MEC added that continued engagement with operators is necessary to improve compliance and restore order within the province’s transport system.
“We must continue to have discussions with all cross-border and long-distance operators regarding regulatory compliance. This will enable law-enforcement agencies to ensure we tackle and eradicate lawlessness prevalent in our CBDs,” she said.
The Department confirmed that the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate will continue to conduct intelligence-driven operations across the province, including vehicle inspections, stop-and-searches and permit verification exercises aimed at protecting commuters and improving road safety.
