The case against four police officers accused of aiding the escape of an alleged illegal mining ringleader in Stilfontein, North West, has been postponed to May 29. The officers, arrested in January, were each released on R1,000 bail.
James ‘Tiger’ Tshwaeli, a Lesotho national, disappeared after emerging from an abandoned shaft at Buffelsfontein Gold Mine during a government-led rescue operation. He was never taken into police custody and remains at large. Tshwaeli is accused of assault, torture, and hoarding food supplies meant for trapped miners. Authorities have warned that he is highly dangerous.
National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe previously confirmed that Tshwaeli had been identified in multiple statements as a key figure controlling illegal underground operations at Buffelsfontein. The ongoing crackdown on illegal mining in the area has already resulted in nearly 2,000 arrests, while more than 90 people have lost their lives.
Acting North West police commissioner Patrick Asaneng and Safety MEC Wessels Morweng are expected to provide updates on the Stilfontein operation when they present the province’s latest crime statistics on Wednesday.