A Durban-based truck operator has been slapped with a massive R800,000 fine after being caught operating with an expired licence and numerous unpaid traffic fines during a joint freight compliance blitz.
eThekwini municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana confirmed that the operator was stopped during a routine inspection along South Coast Road and Solomon Mhlangu Drive, part of the municipality’s Transport Month operations aimed at tightening freight compliance.
“The operation focused on ensuring freight trucks comply with key regulations such as vehicle weight limits, permits, and roadworthiness,” said Sisilana.
“Authorities also uncovered fraudulent dangerous goods permits, leading to the arrest of a woman allegedly involved in producing fake documentation.”
According to ETA road safety senior manager Ravina Sewlall, non-compliance and unroadworthy vehicles continue to pose a major threat on the city’s roads.
“Operators were fined R5,000 for failure to display a dangerous goods certificate, R2,500 for failure to renew it, and R1,500 for not maintaining fire extinguishers,” she said.
Road Freight Association CEO Gavin Kelly warned that transporting hazardous materials without proper certification poses serious risks to public safety and urged all operators to comply fully with regulations.
This latest enforcement drive comes just weeks after a similar bust reported by SA Trucker in August, when police uncovered a fraudulent dangerous goods permit operation in Durban.
That investigation led to the seizure of fake certificates, counterfeit stamps, and electronic equipment allegedly used to manufacture bogus documentation.
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