KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of drunk driving incidents in the country during the Easter long weekend, as law enforcement intensified operations nationwide.
Police confirmed that coordinated efforts across South Africa resulted in the arrest of 15,840 suspects for a range of criminal offences.
During the operations, authorities also seized 132 illegal firearms and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said compliance checks on liquor outlets formed a key part of the crackdown.
A total of 532 illegal taverns were shut down for failing to meet regulatory requirements.
Mathe added that 773 individuals were arrested for selling alcohol without valid liquor licences.
“The majority of those without liquor licences were arrested in KwaZulu-Natal, with 299 suspects, followed by Mpumalanga, where 209 arrests were made,” she said.
Police say the operations were aimed at curbing crime and improving public safety during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.