Some 196 people were arrested in Johannesburg and surrounding areas for various crimes, police said on Monday.

Captain Bhekizizwe Mavundla said the suspects were arrested during a crime combating operation, which was conducted from Friday at 10pm until Monday at 6am.

"They were charged for possession of unlicenced firearms, possession of drugs, and fraud, theft, street robberies, malicious damage to property and other minor crimes."

The 196 were arrested in Hillbrow, Braamfontein, Parktown, Berea and Joubert Park.

All were due to appear at the Johannesburg and Hillbrow Magistrate's Courts, depending on the seriousness of the crime.

Meanwhile, over 200 people were arrested in Sharpeville near Vereeniging for various crimes, police said on Monday.

Spokeswoman Inspector Trudie Wilken said 205 people were arrested during special operations held from Friday until Monday morning.

Wilken said the suspects were charged for robberies, assaults, theft, illegal gambling, drug-related offences, drunken driving and drinking in public.

She said during the operation, police conducted stop and search operations and set up roadblocks.

Wilken said those arrested were between the ages of 22 and 55.

They would appear in the Vereeniging Magistrate's Court soon, she added.

Sapa