In this joint operation, the South African Police Service, metro police departments, Gauteng traffic police, the Road Traffic Management Corporation and revenue service SARS and private security firms recovered stolen motor vehicles, illegal firearms and drugs, police said on Monday.

An intelligence-driven operation between the Gauteng and North West provinces saw three wanted suspects aged 33 to 40 arrested in Tshepisong in the West Rand and two firearms recovered, a statement from the office of the Gauteng provincial police commissioner said.

A further 196 were arrested for various crimes including rape, murder, robbery as well as possessing firearms and stolen property. Seven shebeens were closed down and liquor confiscated over illegal trade.

Two people were arrested in Midrand with drugs and eight were picked up in Alexandra for sexual offences including rape.

"Four hundred and sixty four suspects were arrested in other parts of Johannesburg over the weekend for various serious and violent crimes, while counterfeit goods worth of millions of rands were confiscated," the Gauteng police commissioner's office said.

"Operations in Tshwane saw more than 210 suspects arrested with 31 undocumented persons taken into custody. Fines issued in relation to Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) amounted to R139,400 while three vehicles were struck off the road and two impounded for inquiry."

Also in Tshwane, a person was arrested for holding stolen property including a 950kg municipal transformer worth an estimated R200,000 as well as parts of railway lines and sleeper beams. Counterfeit goods including cigarettes were also confiscated during the operations.

Similar crackdowns in Benoni, Boksburg North, Etwatwa, Daveyton, and Putfontein yielded 20 drug-related arrests while 49 wanted suspects were also nabbed.

Those arrested are due to appear in various magistrate courts on Monday.

African News Agency (ANA)