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Johannesburg - Over 300 people were arrested in Soweto over the weekend with various shebeens closed down, Gauteng police said on Sunday.
"During the weekend operation, we managed to arrest at least 302 suspects for various crimes," spokesperson Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said.
At least 44 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, 36 arrested for possession of drugs, three for armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearms.
"We closed down 14 shebeens that were operating illegally and arrested four suspects for possession of stolen motor vehicles. Others were arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, theft and shoplifting," said Makhubela.
Among those arrested was a 49-year-old man arrested for the murder of his wife. The man allegedly throttled his wife to death. He then called an ambulance thinking she had fainted.
"The woman was taken to hospital where she was declared dead and doctors alerted police. He was arrested on the spot," Makhubela added.
The 302 people were expected to appear in various courts around Gauteng during the week.
Rustenburg
In North West, at least 80 people were arrested over the weekend in Rustenburg for various crimes, North West police said on Sunday.
The arrests formed part of "Operation Platinum Belt" in Rustenburg and surrounding crime hotspots.
Police said the operation was aimed at stabilising and ensuring the safety of residents in the areas affected by the five-month long platinum industrial action.
Mokgwabone said the operation was launched to tackle the scourge of crime which police felt "was getting out of hand" even after a settlement was reached in the mining sector.
"We made plans to carry on with the operation even after the strike agreement as crime was out of hand," he said.
Arrests include 51 people for drug-related crimes, 16 for contravention of National Road Traffic Act, eight for possession of stolen property, and five for driving under the influence of liquor.
One man was arrested over the weekend when he was found in possession of packets containing R1 500 worth of the drug "Cat."
He allegedly refused to allow officers to search his vehicle.
He was expected to appear in the Rustenburg Magistrate's Court soon on a charge of possession of drugs.
