Nelspruit - Mpumalanga police arrested 14 799 people in police operations that ran from 1 October 2008 until Monday along all national and provincial roads.
Provincial police spokesperson Superintendent Abie Khoabane said on Wednesday that the operations were run jointly with the Traffic Department, Department of Home Affairs and Department of Roads and Transport.
"Officials dedicated time they may have spent with their families and loved ones, especially during the festive season, to participate in the operations," said Superintendent Khoabane.
The operations included roadblocks, stop and search exercises, vehicle control points, raids on shebeens and increased visibility on the roads.
Altogether 4 991 weapons were confiscated, while 14 799 people were arrested, 8 820 of whom were arrested for robbery and 287 for murder.
Another 483 people were arrested for rapes, 3 320 for assault, both common and with the intention to cause grievous bodily harm.
A further 1046 people were arrested for both business and residential burglaries.
Mr Khoabane said 524 people were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen property and 2 936 for entering the country illegally.
He said dagga worth 5 400kg with a street value of R1.2 million was confiscated, as were 307 tablets of LSD, crack, heroine, mandrax and ecstasy with a street value of R150 000.
Fines amounting to R4.8 million were issued for unroadworthy vehicles, reckless driving, overtaking on the yellow line and drunk driving.
Goods suspected to be stolen, like cellular phones, computers, telephones, video machines and sound systems worth R272 013, were also confiscated.
"We will continue with the operations but I will not disclose when, where or how. I'm confidant that one of these days we are truly going to end crime in our province," he said.
