In what the Mopani police regard as a major breakthrough in the area, they have arrested a group of five men whom they believe are responsible for numerous housebreaking and theft cases at Phalaborwa and the surrounding areas.

The suspects were arrested at various places places in Phalaborwa over the past weekend. Their ages range between 16 and 22. According to the spokesperson for the police in the area, Capt Maano Sadike, the group leader is a 20-year-old man who is also a local inhabitant.

Although the mastermind is a well-known figure to the police, he was still at large at the time of going to press. According to the statement, the police are linking the five suspects with 32 cases of housbreaking and theft that took place in and around Phalaborwa during the past months.

During the incidents with which the suspects have been linked, several goods including DVD players, television sets, video recorders and hi-fis, were stolen. In the statement, the police revealed that they were convinced that the arrest for the five suspects will lead to the deterioration of the rate of house-breaking and theft cases in the area. They were still to appear in court at the time of going to press.