Public transport impounds increase by nearly 50% year-on-year

17 July 2023

The figure increased from 6 259 in 2021/22, to 9 062 in 2022/23 representing a 44% increase year-on-year. Impoundments for various transgressions are ongoing – in the past week, the Traffic Service impounded 264 public transport vehicles. It was one of the many enforcement interventions by the City’s three agencies that also included 314 arrests and 62 194 fines for various transgressions.

Public transport vehicles are impounded in terms of legislation, where drivers are unable to produce a valid operating licence, or are found to be operating contrary to the conditions of their operating licence.

Of the 9 062 vehicles impounded between July 2022 and June 2023, 6 245 were minibus taxis, 2 472 e-hailing vehicles and 653 amaphela taxis.

'The City receives thousands of complaints every year of public transport drivers not adhering to the rules of the road. These complaints are not from the public only, but also legitimate operators who are bullied and intimidated by illegal operators. This often creates conflict, which puts the lives of innocent passengers and other road users in danger. This type of selfish behaviour cannot be tolerated, and we will enforce the law to protect without fear or favour. The steep increase in impoundments shows a disturbing pattern of reckless behaviour on our roads, and an unwillingness to abide by processes set out around operating permits. Not only is it grossly unfair to everyone who has gone the legal route to operate, but in many instances, the same persons operating illegally, do not even have valid driving licences, or are operating in vehicles that are unroadworthy,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

WEEKLY ENFORCEMENT SUMMARY

During the past week, traffic officers arrested 38 motorists including 27 for drunk driving, four for reckless and negligent driving and seven others on various charges.

Officers recorded 57 288 offences, impounded 264 public transport vehicles and executed 2 424 warrants of arrest.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

In the past week, Law Enforcement officers conducted more than 580 enforcement operations where officers made 222 arrests and issued 3 097 notices for various transgressions.

Officers from the Law Enforcement Advancement programme accounted for 185 of the arrests.

METRO POLICE

During weekly patrols, officers arrested 54 suspects and issued 2 529 fines for various transgressions.

In one of the latest arrests on Sunday, 16 July 2023 officers recovered a 9mm pistol and 11 rounds of ammunition in Asanda Village, Strand – they took an 18-year-old suspect into custody.

The recovery was the third firearm recovered by Metro Police officers in the space of just over 48 hours. During the same period, officers also recovered three imitation firearms.