With the festive season peak travel period fast approaching, traffic authorities across South Africa have intensified enforcement operations, adopting a zero-tolerance approach towards motorists driving unroadworthy vehicles.
Over the past six days, officers have stopped and checked 229,612 vehicles in nationwide roadblocks. A total of 662 vehicles were discontinued due to serious roadworthiness defects, including smooth tyres, faulty brakes, malfunctioning lights, cracked windscreens, leaking engines, and defective steering systems. Officials warn that any three major faults automatically result in a vehicle being discontinued.
In addition, 727 vehicles were impounded for violating the National Land Transportation Act — primarily for operating public transport services without valid operating permits.
Provincial Breakdown of Discontinued Vehicles
- Eastern Cape: 146
- Free State: 7
- Gauteng: 28
- Limpopo: 13
- Mpumalanga: 137
- KwaZulu-Natal: 113
- North West: 3
- Western Cape: 71
- National Traffic Police: 134
- Northern Cape: 0
Authorities are urging motorists to ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy before embarking on long-distance journeys expected to begin next weekend, following the closure of schools and the construction industry.
Over Half a Million Unroadworthy Vehicles on South African Roads
The National Traffic Information System (NaTIS) currently records 527,008 unroadworthy vehicles nationally — a slight improvement from the 604,881 recorded in 2024. The figure includes buses, taxis, and commercial vehicles.
In terms of regulations:
- Commercial vehicles over 3,500 kg, including minibus taxis, must undergo annual roadworthy tests.
- Buses are required to be tested every six months.
Unroadworthy Vehicles by Province
- KwaZulu-Natal: 70,201
- Limpopo: 24,955
- Free State: 35,319
- Eastern Cape: 34,526
- Northern Cape: 10,426
- Western Cape: 75,369
- Mpumalanga: 37,396
- Gauteng: 255,455
- North West: 28,361
Traffic authorities have been instructed to “show no mercy” to anyone caught driving an unroadworthy vehicle. Offenders face immediate arrest, and their vehicles will be impounded.
