The national transport ministry said on Monday it had plans in place to deal with illegally converted taxis.

Toyota South Africa issued warnings, alerting officials to the dangers of converting Quantum panel vans in to taxis.

The warning came after five people were killed in an accident near Beaufort West on Sunday.

“Those vehicles from our point of view have not been designed to be taxis at all,” said Toyota SA’s Ferdie de Vos.

Last year the ministry ordered an investigation in an attempt to crack down on such vehicles.

The ministry’s spokesperson Logan Maistry added further measures were in place.

“Over the past month, extensive safety testing pertaining to brake testing and roll-over protection has been carried out on these vehicles,” said Maistry.

Western Cape transport officials were ordered to remove illegally converted vans, even if drivers had valid operating permits.