Following the burglary at the Van Zyls' in Makhado (Louis Trichardt), where it is suspected that they were made to sleep deeply by inhaling the smoke of a burnt CD, the Zoutpansberger put this theory to the test.

First, a cigarette lighter (photo 2) was used to try and burn a regular CD. This proved ineffective as the CD only melted a little bit, with a little bit of smoke. It became apparent that a bigger flame was needed, because as soon as the lighter flame went out, the CD stopped smoking.

A second theory, that burglars burn Doom insecticide and a CD to intoxicate home owners, was tested. Sprayed onto the CD, however, the Doom was not flammable at all.

Next the newspaper entertained the idea that an even bigger and hotter flame was needed. Petrol poured onto the disk, however, also proved to be ineffective (3). The flames melted the CD, but did not produce smoke or reduce it to ashes. Not even a fuel-soaked rag (1), rolled up in the middle of the CD, produced any positive results.

According to a quick Internet search, there is no proof that a burnt CD produces toxic smoke – perhaps only in large amounts. The local police also confirmed that burning a CD as a burglary aid might be nothing more than an urban myth. According to information provided by the police, there have been cases were burglars might have used some kind of industrial gas – but reported cases are few and far between.

The Zoutpansberger traced a more plausible theory in an article that appeared in the West Cape News in February 2011, written by Nombulelo Damba. In this article, a self-confessed burglar demonstrated to the newspaper how he used a sleep-inducing smoke, from a muti mixture, into victims' house before breaking in and stealing their belongings.

The robber said he used the smoke made of a powder that contains hyena tail, a bit of soil from a grave and a secret mix of herbs. This smoke he blows into the house by burning the powder in a rolled up piece of paper. There might not be any scientific proof about the intoxicating properties of grave soil and hyena tail, but herb mixes can be bought locally from pharmacies and traditional healers, or can even be home-grown. Examples of home-grown herbs that can help one sleep include kanna, passion flower, henna and Artemisia afra (Wilde Als).

Perhaps burglars burn their secret mix on a CD as to not leave a burned patch as evidence, or perhaps they have just learnt to move around like cats, without making a sound…