The escape of James Neo "Tiger" Tshoaeli, a notorious illegal mining kingpin, from police custody in Stilfontein, North West, has exposed a shocking case of alleged police corruption, leading to the arrest of four officers.
The incident, which unfolded after Tshoaeli's dramatic rescue from Shaft 11 of the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine on 15 January, has sent ripples through the law enforcement community.
A source close to the investigation told News24, "He was properly processed and questioned. He was cooperative and gave damning information to the police at the shaft. His revelations will assist the police in identifying those among them who [have been] collaborating with the illegal miners," adding that "His information would also have assisted in revealing the real masterminds behind illegal mining."
This revelation was corroborated by Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, police spokesperson, who confirmed that Tshoaeli was neither booked into a police station nor admitted to a hospital. She described Tshoaeli as a fugitive and a dangerous individual, implicated in several statements as a ringleader controlling operations underground. She further confirmed allegations, supported by videos in police possession, of deaths, assaults, and torture linked to Tshoaeli, along with accusations of hoarding food from other miners.
The acting North West police commissioner, Major-General Patrick Asaneng, immediately launched a full-scale investigation, mobilising “maximum resources” to locate Tshoaeli. He publicly stated that heads would roll if any officers were found complicit in the escape. General Asaneng had previously expressed his belief that corruption was involved, stating, "What I can say without any fear of contradiction is that we believe that our own members were somehow involved in the disappearance of this illegal miner kingpin. There is a corrupter and a corruptee in this case.”
The investigation gained momentum when illegal miners rescued alongside Tshoaeli filed complaints, accusing him of torture and food hoarding. Asaneng explained, “That's why this particular individual was separated from the rest with the instruction that he be taken to the police station to be detained. It was only upon verification and investigation that we realised he was missing.” This suggests that Tshoaeli’s escape was not a spontaneous act but a carefully orchestrated event.
The police’s suspicions of internal involvement were further fuelled by the fact that Tshoaeli, known to have access to significant amounts of gold and cash, may have bribed officers. Asaneng confirmed, “We believe that the escape of James Neo "Tiger" Tshoaeli is a result of corruption. Police are keeping their watch on all those who were on duty when Tiger resurfaced,” adding that police couldn't rule out bribery involving cash or gold.
The subsequent arrest of four police officers, directly linked to Tshoaeli’s escape, underscores the seriousness of the allegations. These officers appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrates Court on 31 January and were each granted bail of R1 000. Their next court appearance is scheduled for 5 March 2025.
This miner detailed Tshoaeli's control over the mine's resources, including cash, gold, and a well-stocked spaza shop within the mine shaft. He also described instances of brutal violence, some resulting in hospitalisation. Another zama zama, while acknowledging Tshoaeli's strict discipline, suggested that the harsh conditions underground may have contributed to his violent tendencies. Both miners, however, agreed that Tshoaeli's escape was unlikely to have been a solo effort.
The investigation into Tshoaeli's escape and the subsequent arrest of the four police officers represent a significant development in the fight against illegal mining and police corruption in the North West province.
