From the Editor’s Desk
August 14, 2026

I don’t often give politicians a thumbs up. In fact, I’m generally rather sceptical about what comes out of their mouths, particularly when it comes to promises about what they are going to do rather than evidence of what they have actually done. So, when I received a press release this week from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, my first reaction was: Here we go again. But then I read it. And then I went back to some of the other releases I have received – and kept – from the Department over the past months. And I have to admit, I’m beginning to see a pattern.

This particular release opened with a statement that the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is intensifying its efforts to improve road safety through targeted interventions, infrastructure investment, law enforcement and public awareness initiatives aimed at reducing crashes and saving lives. Now, that is all the right stuff, isn’t it? The department says road safety is a priority, and MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela put some strong words behind that commitment. “Road safety is a shared responsibility that directly affects our communities. Every life lost on our roads is one too many. We remain committed to practical interventions that reduce crashes, protect vulnerable road users and ensure safer travel across Gauteng,” she said. Meaningful words I’d say.

If this had been the only press release I had received, I would probably have dismissed it as the usual political sweet-talk waffle. The difference is that I have kept some of the previous statements. And when you go back and look at them, there is evidence that the words are increasingly being followed by action. Take October last year, for example. Between 13 and 19 October 2025, the Gauteng Transport Inspectorate (GTI) carried out coordinated crackdown operations across the province’s major transport corridors. More than 800 manual infringement notices were issued, with another 1 275 processed electronically through the GTI’s e-Force devices. Yes, one could argue that infringement notices also represent a revenue stream. However, what stood out for me is that 113 vehicles were served with discontinuation notices for non-compliance with road safety regulations, while 21 minibuses were impounded for serious violations. That’s not just issuing pieces of paper. That’s taking vehicles off the road because they were considered unsafe.

Now leap forward to this month. Between 3 and 9 August this month, the GTI, working with the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), conducted stop-and-search operations across Gauteng’s major metropolitan municipalities under the MEC’s #RemoveSkorokoro campaign.

I love that campaign title. More importantly, I like what it is intended to achieve. The focus was on removing unroadworthy vehicles from the roads and improving compliance with traffic and public transport regulations. During that one-week operation, 14 minibuses were discontinued after serious mechanical defects were identified, including faulty brakes, worn tyres and defective lighting systems. Another 20 discontinuation notices were issued to non-compliant motorists.

The operation also uncovered 48 minibus taxi drivers operating without valid driving licences and 43 vehicles operating without valid licence discs. More than 500 manual AARTO infringement notices were issued, with another 647 processed electronically through the GTI’s e-Force devices. For me, however, the really important numbers are those relating to unsafe vehicles because when a vehicle with defective brakes or dangerously worn tyres is taken off the road, there is a very real possibility that a life has just been protected. And that brings me back to the latest press release.

The Department says it is upgrading ageing bridges in Tshwane, Mogale City and Sedibeng to improve safety, structural integrity and traffic flow. Construction has also started on the new R59 pedestrian bridge at Meyerton, providing a safer crossing for pedestrians on one of the province’s busy transport corridors. It says rehabilitation of Gauteng’s approximately 5 592-kilometre provincial road network is also being accelerated, including repairs to road defects and improvements to surfaced and gravel roads. Smart transport technologies are being deployed to strengthen traffic monitoring and incident management, while law enforcement officers are being deployed on major routes to monitor traffic and enforce compliance. Again, that’s all the right stuff.

The reason I’m paying attention this time is not because of what the Department says it is going to do. It is because I’m starting to see evidence of what it is actually doing. Commenting on the latest enforcement operation, MEC Diale-Tlabela said: “The results send a clear message that lawlessness on our roads will not be tolerated.” Well, Mrs MEC, that’s a message I can get behind. You also said: “We will continue working with our law-enforcement partners to ensure that Gauteng’s roads are safer.” That’s another statement I would normally greet with a raised eyebrow but in this case, I’m prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt because there is some evidence on the ground to support it. And that is why I’m pointing one thumb into the air. One thumb. Not two. Not yet. Because words are cheap in politics. Sustained actions aren’t. If the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport – with the GTI – continues identifying dangerous vehicles, taking them off the road, addressing infrastructure risks and enforcing the rules consistently – including a clamp down on bribes – then perhaps that second thumb will eventually find its way into the air as well.

Mrs MEC, you yourself have said: “Every life lost on our roads is one too many.” That’s a pretty good foundation on which to build a sustainable road-safety strategy. At FleetWatch, we firmly believe in the Power of One. One action can make a difference. One unsafe vehicle removed from the road can prevent one crash. One bridge can give one pedestrian a safer way across a busy road. One repaired road defect can prevent one driver from losing control. And, ultimately, one life saved is one life saved. So, Mrs MEC, you have earned one thumbs up from this sceptical editor. Now let’s aim for two. FleetWatch has worked with the cops over many years. I have a few ideas. We should talk.

Patrick O’Leary
Managing Editor, FleetWatch