‘Police may be complicit in escape of alleged mining kingpin’

Acting North West Police Commissioner Major-General Patrick Asaneng speaking at a SAPS event.

2 minutes

Acting North West Police Commissioner Major-General Patrick Asaneng says there are concerns that police officers are complicit in the escape of alleged illegal mining kingpin James Tshoaeli. Police are still searching for him.

Tshoaeli, who was arrested in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp, is believed to have significant influence in illegal mining operations in the region.

Asaneng has warned those who will be found to have assisted the fugitive.

“We cannot as the South African Police Service allow corrupt members and individuals to be in our midst. We are cognisant of the fact that as the police we are given … responsibility of preventing, combating and investigating crime….We are expected and required to at all times act with integrity and professionalism. Therefore, anyone amongst us who decides that they will be on the side of criminals and not on the side of law enforcement does not deserve to be amongst our own.”

#sapsHQ Police launch manhunt for Stilfontein underground kingpin, a Lesotho national, James Neo Tshoaeli, commonly known as TIGER, who resurfaced from shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week. TIGER is a fugitive of justice and is considered dangerous.

Members of the public are… pic.twitter.com/1Ob0G7CTmG

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) January 20, 2025