Gauteng police are treating as a rumour reports that a gang is stealing plasma television sets for a powder they contain which is used in a drugs cocktail, they said on Thursday.

"There is currently no information to suggest that plasma TVs are stolen for a powder drug," said Lt-Gen Mzwandile Petros.

He said investigations had found that the plasma TV powder drug craze was a rumour circulating in Alexandra.

The Star reported that eight people had been killed by the plasma gang.

Karabo Masondo, of Alexandra, was quoted as saying the gang would kill anyone who even woke up and tried to see what was happening while it was stealing TV sets.

Petros said the rumour came to the police's attention last week.

"Crime intelligence information to date suggests that all crime incidents (house breaking and house robberies) reported were criminally motivated crimes.

"During these crimes, plasma screens were part of, and not the only stolen items. Information suggests that these items are stolen for the purpose of reselling," he said.