Fifty-nine motorists were arrested for speeding in Gauteng over the weekend, Johannesburg metro police said on Sunday.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the motorists were arrested as part of a police law enforcement plan to reduce accidents on the roads.

Eighteen motorists were arrested on the Soweto motorway in Diepkloof, he said.

A 30-year-old man in a red Volkswagen Golf was caught doing 158 kilometres an hour in a 60km/h zone, said Minnaar.

"The man told police he was chasing another Golf 5 that had duplicated his registration plates. But police could not get that car in their camera," he said.

On the N1 north, a 35-year-old man from Laudium, in Pretoria, was caught speeding at 210km/h in a silver Mercedes-Benz.

"He claimed to be rushing home after gambling at Monte Casino," said Minnaar.

Ten more motorists were arrested on the M1 north at the Corlett Drive off-ramp and another ten were arrested on the Old Potchefstroom road in Soweto.

"On the N1 (south and north), 21 motorists were arrested between the Olifantsfontein and Allandale road off-ramps," said Minnaar.

The 59 motorists were all granted bail of R1000 and are expected to appear in courts on Monday.

Sapa