The Gauteng transport department has vowed to clamp down on drag racers and push for it to be regarded as a serious offence, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Bheki Nkosi has declared zero tolerance for the drag racing practice on Gauteng roads... he is going to push for drag racing to be treated as a serious criminal and civil offence," spokesperson Philemon Motshwaedi said in a statement.

Strict measures would be put in place to discourage it.

"Our law enforcement special units have been successful in the past and we're determined to crush this practice once and for all."

His statement followed hip-hop star Molemo Maarohanye, better known as Jub Jub, and Themba Tshabalala appearing in court for allegedly killing four schoolboys and injuring two while drag racing in their Mini Coopers in Soweto on Monday.

They will appear in court again on 17 March.