Illegal goods worth nearly R500 000 have been seized at a roadblock in Komartipoort, Mpumalanga.

National Police Commissioner, General Khehla Sitole, joined the South African Police Service (Saps), traffic officers and members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), as part of the festive season clampdown operation.

Police, traffic officers and defence force members have been hard at work. They confiscated R89, 500 worth of counterfeit money and seized illegal goods worth nearly half a million rand.

Traffic fines were issued and at least one person arrested.

Sitole says the operation is yielding results. He says over 4800 vehicles and 13 714 people have been searched and fines were issued.

Many people have been arrested for various law transgressions since the beginning of the festive season and criminals have been warned. Mpumalanga Police Commissioner General Mondli Zuma says 2850 people have been arrested.

He has warned the members of the public that police will be on the road, mall and all public spaces. “We are working 24 hours.”

The National Commissioner will visit other provinces until the end of the holiday season in support of the men in blue. Road users have also been urged to be responsible. At least four people were killed and two others injured on the R36 road between Breyten and Carolina on Wednesday night.

It is suspected that the driver lost control of his vehicle, causing it to overturn. The driver has since been arrested and charged with culpable homicide. He is believed to have been driving under the influence of alcohol.