MALAMULELE – In what the police described as a major breakthrough in the Mopani area, they have arrested 28 people and charged them with housebreaking, armed robbery, theft and the possession of suspected stolen goods.

According to the spokesperson of the police in the area, Capt. Moatshe Ngoepe, the suspects were arrested during an operation that was led by the Special Task Team. According to the police statement the search for the suspects came after a huge outcry by the local residents.

During the operation the Task Team managed to recover a huge volume of suspected stolen property including 20 cellphones, Hi-fi sets, television sets, video machines and clothing. The value of the recovered stolen goods is estimated at about R200 000.

The arrests were followed by a meeting between the local residents and the area's police commissioner, Muladelo Raphulu, that was held at Malamulele last Thursday. During the meeting Raphulu stressed the fact that "an attack on a police officer is an attack on the law and an attack on the law is an attack on democracy."

He appealed to police officers to behave well when both on and off duty. He again appealed to community members to give police officers the support and respect that they deserve. Among the 28 arrested suspects are two women. The suspects have been appearing in court individually since last Thursday while the police investigations are also going on.