By OBAKENG MAJE
21 January 2025- The Moral Regeneration Movement (MRM) in the North West described the reported escape of alleged illegal mining kingpin, James Neo Tshoaeli from police custody as a despicable act and worst betray of public trust that has significantly dented the image of the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The police have confirmed that they have embarked on a search for the Lesotho national commonly known as “Tiger” after realising that though he was arrested, but not admitted to any hospital nor held in their custody, raising suspicion that he was assisted to flee by the SAPS officials after exiting from Buffelsfontein mine shaft 11, last week.
The Convenor of the MRM Provincial Interim Committee, Pastor Lesiba Kgwele said, the civil society led movement promoting the Charter of Positive Values and ethical leadership is disappointed that police failed the ultimate morality and integrity test at a crucial stage of their investigations.
“How the matter is dealt with will have far reaching consequences on confidence in policing because it occurred when police were supposed to wrap up the Vala Umgodi Stilfontein operation and present the alleged ruthless kingpin and his accomplices accused of torture, murder, hording food and other worst atrocities committed underground before court.
“The escape has not only laid bare what is at stake, but has also confirmed long-held suspicions that the massive and sophisticated criminal network could not have survived and established critical infrastructure without police detection and those within SAPS and the broader community who must have been deeply embedded in its above ground cover-up operation,” he said.
Kgwele further said no stone should be left unturned to unmask those who aided the fugitive’s escape. He added that the gauntlet should be thrown at those who were part of the operation and arrest of the last batch of 246 illegal miners to resurface.
“Lie detector tests, lifestyle audits and a complete shake-up must follow. If democratic accountable policing that acts in the best interest of our communities is to be re-established in the area and elsewhere across the country, where lawlessness is encroaching.
“The only a corrupt free SAPS will be able to win the war against crime with the support of communities,” said Kgwele.
The Guardian 