Four police officers arrested in connection with the escape from lawful custody of Stilfontein illegal miners kingpin, James Tshoaeli, commonly known as Tiger, were granted bail of R1 000 by the Stilfontein Magistrates Court on Friday. The four, who are attached to the Stilfontein Vala Umgodi operation were arrested on Friday morning in the area, before appearing in court on a charge of defeating the ends of justice. The officers are Warrant Officer Jack Motlhabya (37), Warrant Officer Menzi Shabalala (38), Sergeant Ntutuko Dladla (40), and Sergeant Samkelo Mbotho (38). According to the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, internal departmental processes are underway.“We are pleased but at the same time disappointed in the arrest of our own. Let the law take its course. We are still searching for Tiger, we believe we will get answers soon by those allegedly responsible for his release from lawful custody,” said Asaneng.Furthermore, Asaneng said authorities are struggling to identify 78 bodies that were retrieved at the mine three weeks ago.He said these as most of the bodies have decomposed and are believed to be undocumented foreign nationals, thus no immediate families to provide DNA samples. Police have since requested relatives of the deceased to come forward for the identification process. “Family members are requested to meet with the investigation team at Stilfontein Police Station on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 08:00 and 15:00,” read a police statement.
Four police officers implicated for helping Stilfontein ‘kingpin’ escape from custody
By Larson Thebe
