More than 180 people were arrested in Soweto and surrounding areas at the weekend, police said on Sunday.

Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said 181 people were arrested in Dobsonville, Jabulani, Moroka, Naledi and Lenasia between Friday and Sunday morning.

Forty-three were arrested for drunk driving, 30 for drug dealing, two for possession of drugs, three for murder, one for possession of an unlicensed firearms, five for malicious damage to property, two for kidnapping, two for common robbery, 10 for common assault and 16 for assault with grievous bodily harm.

The remainder of the arrests were for various other crimes.

Thirty-one illegal shebeens were also closed down by police.