More than 30 vehicles were taken off the road in Tembisa on the East Rand yesterday as the government clamps down on illegal taxis transporting pupils.

Six vehicles were impounded for not having proper documents and 16 tickets were issued to drivers for not having driver's licences.

Illegal and unroadworthy taxis and drivers without professional driving permits are the biggest obstacles to road and scholar safety, Gauteng community safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane said.

"We had a number of roadblocks this morning and will continue to do so throughout the year and over the next two months especially, with February being Safety Month," she said.

Vehicles transporting schoolchildren, in particular, were stopped and inspected.

Scholar transport was emphasised by Nkosi-Malobane in an address to pupils at Tswelopele Secondary School in Tembisa.

"A number of young people have died on the roads as a result of our carelessness," she said.

"We are here to give you support and say that you are about to become adults and future citizens who will change this world for the better."

"The worrying thing is the involvement of the parents," said Nkosi-Malobane.

"Parents know about these taxis. Why not raise your concerns? Why not take your child out of unroadworthy vehicles?

"Parents must take responsibility - just as the department, teachers and principals are," she said.

The provincial department of social development manufactured 100 school uniforms and 150 dignity packs, which contain sanitary towels, for the pupils.

Department's spokesman Thapelo Moiloa confirmed that dignity packs would be distributed to the school once a month for the rest of the academic year.

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