Gauteng arrests illegal taxi squad on N4 route
MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has commended the Gauteng Public Transport Intervention Unit (PTIU) following their arrest of two suspects posing as a taxi association patrol squad along the N4 highway in the City of Tshwane on Thursday,11 January 2024.
While conducting a #Fatela Road Safety operation along the N4 highway outside of Bronkhorstspruit, the PTIU apprehended two undocumented foreign nationals for allegedly driving a vehicle displaying a false registration plate, fraudulent license disk as well as extortion.
The unit also impounded two minibus taxis and took the sedan, which is suspected to be a stolen vehicle, to the Pretoria Vehicle Identification Service unit (VIS) for further investigation. It is alleged that the suspects operate along the N4 route where they stop minibus taxis travelling along the route and threaten to impound their vehicles if they do not pay a R2500 spot fine.
“The PTIU continues to play an important role in maintaining law and order in the public transport system. We welcome the arrest of the two suspects as these individuals pose a serious threat to the peaceful operation of minibus taxis in our province,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela who was on site during the arrest.
The PTIU responded to this complain following a huge outcry about similar incidents that have been taking place along the N4 route over the past few months.
The Department is set to continue conducting #Fatela road safety drives throughout January and beyond to encourage compliance and promote the safe usage of roads in identified hotspots in the province.
The overall objective being to reduce the carnage through road safety education, encouraging responsible road usage and declaring zero tolerance to lawlessness and drunk driving. This has been identified as amongst the leading causes of road accidents.
The PTIU, on the other hand, will continue to monitor and ensure compliance and visibility on Provincial roads.
Enquiries:
Melitah Madiba
Cell: 073 644 9935
Lesiba Mpya
Cell: 078 450 9841
Email: pressoffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
