MORE than 1000 people were arrested for various crimes, ranging from murder and rape to unlawful possession of firearms, during the Easter weekend, Mpumalanga police said.

This figure is double the number of people arrested during the same period last year when about 500 people were arrested for various offences.

Senior Superintendent Sibongile Nkosi told Sowetan that the increase in the number of arrests was a sign of dedication by the provincial police.

"We made 1067 arrests during this year's Easter operation. This is double the number of arrests we made during the same period last year. This means our people can trust us to continue to serve them," Nkosi said.

Nkosi said police recovered 18 suspected stolen vehicles and confiscated 28 illegal firearms at the 46 road blocks that were set up in Mpumalanga during the Easter holiday period.

Nkosi also said that police had issued 613 fines to liquor outlet operators who failed to adhere to their legal time limit of operations and to motor vehicle drivers who broke the law.

Nkosi urged people to inform police of any crime without fear because all information would be treated in the strictest confidence.