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S.Africa arrests 3 over break-in at top judge’s office

South Africa's police chief said Wednesday three men had been arrested over a mysterious weekend break-in at the offices of the country's top judge, where 15 computers were stolen.

The crime caused a public and political storm with the opposition calling it a attack on the judicial system, as the theft occurred hours after the Constitutional Court headed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng delivered a scathing ruling against the ANC government over welfare payments.

The computers containing sensitive information about 250 judges were stolen on Saturday during a burglary at Mogoeng’s offices in Johannesburg.

Police chief Khomotso Phahlane said the suspects were arrested over the past few days in Mamelodi, a township outside the capital Pretoria.

He said more arrests were expected and the stolen equipment had not been recovered.

The suspects were due to appear in court on Wednesday.

Mogoeng’s welfare ruling slammed the “extraordinary conduct” of ministers, saying they had shown no interest in solving a contractual dispute that put at risk payments to millions of South Africa’s poorest citizens.

The burglars reportedly only took computers from the human resources department, leaving other computers and valuables behind.

Phahlane told journalists that the arrested men appeared to be “just criminals” .

“The outcry and outrage of citizens over this incident is justified because brazen criminals targeted the office of the highest judicial officer in our country.”

Senior opposition Democratic Alliance lawmaker John Steenhuisen and the radical Economic Freedom Fighters party have accused Intelligence Minister David Mahlobo as having a hand in the break-in.

President Jacob Zuma’s government has been hit by multiple corruption scandals and court setbacks.

The African National Congress, which led the struggle against apartheid, came to power in 1994 under Nelson Mandela but has lost support in recent years, suffering its worst election results in local polls last year. DM

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