The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in the North West, is calling for a thorough investigation and consequence management, following the escape of Stilfontein illegal mining kingpin, James Tshoaeli, known as “Tiger.”
The civic organisation was responding to the provincial acting Commissioner’s Major General Patrick Asaneng’s announcement on Thursday, that two of their members are being investigated for allegedly assisting Tiger to escape.
“The alleged illegal mining kingpin James Neo Tsoeli also known as “Tiger” did not actually escape but was clearly abetted to walk away.It is deeply disheartening to witness members of the SAPS, tasked with upholding the law, being implicated in criminal activities. The rising crime rate in the North West province underscores the need to root out corruption within the police force, as it appears to be a significant contributing factor,” said an irate SANCO provincial spokesperson, Mzukisi Jam.
Tiger reportedly escaped from police custody under suspicious circumstances, despite being one of 246 illegal miners arrested during a government sponsored rescue mission at shaft 11 in Stilfontein, near Klerksdorp last week. Jam has accused the police of playing a blame game following “Tiger’s” escape from their custody. The organisation urged the provincial MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, along with the implicated SAPS officials, to urgently locate the fugitive and take decisive action to restore the public’s trust in the police service.
“It is crucial for SAPS to get that escapee especially in light of the Thabo Bester scandal, which has further eroded confidence in the justice system,” remarked Jam.Moreover, he called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to launch a thorough investigation into the case and recommends the immediate suspension of all SAPS officials implicated in the so-called “rescue mission” of the illegal miners in Stilfontein and for Chapter 9 institutions, such as the South African Human Rights Commission, to hold the government accountable.
