The South African Police Service (SAPS) says over 17 000 suspects have been arrested through Operation Shanela during the Easter weekend.
Police say hundreds were arrested for drug, alcohol, and violent crimes.
National Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says many illegal liquor outlets were shut down across the country.
Mathe says this was the highest number of weekly arrests recorded in recent months.
“A total of 541 illegal shebeens and taverns were shut down by police across the country. Seven hundred and fifty-seven suspects found dealing in illegal liquor were also arrested. 270 were arrested in KZN, while 144 were arrested in Mpumalanga and 142 in Gauteng. One 1166 motorists were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs during this period, the majority of them, 265, were arrested in Mpumalanga.”
