Picture: Illegal mining gang leader, James Neo “Tiger” Tshoaeli
By REGINALD KANYANE
2 June 2025- Four policemen who allegedly aided and abetted the escape of a detainee briefly appeared in the Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court. The accused, Jack Motlhabya (37), Menzi Shabalala (38), Ntuthuko Dladla (40) and Samkelo Mbotho (38), were arrested in January 2025, following allegations that they assisted a detainee, James Neo Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national known as Tiger in escaping during a Vala Umgodi operation in Stilfontein.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Sivenathi Gunya said the accused are facing charges of defeating the ends of justice and aiding and abetting the escape of a detainee. Gunya said according to evidence presented in court on 15 January 2025, several illegal miners were rescued and brought to the surface from a mine shaft in Stilfontein.
“They were arrested by SAPS members deployed as part of the Vala Umgodi operations. One individual, known only as “Tiger” was identified by several of the illegal miners as being in charge of operations underground.
“Tiger managed to escape on the same day. An investigation was launched by the Anti-Corruption Unit, leading to the arrest of the four SAPS officials. The accused were granted bail of R1 000 each during their first court appearance,” he said.
Gunya further said the matter has been postponed to 8 July 2025, for further investigation. He added that their bail has been extended until their next appearance.
Picture: The alleged kingpin, James Neo Tshoaeli/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
20 January 2025- The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng said he is disenchanted, but also angry following the reports of an alleged escape of one of the kingpins in the illegal mining activities in Stilfontein.
Morweng said, according to the police reports, James Neo Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national known as Tiger who resurfaced from shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week, was never booked into any of the police stations, where illegal miners are being booked.
He further said this is an embarrassment that cannot be tolerated when you look into resources that are put together to eradicate illegal mining activities, which so far have been successful. Morweng added that, so the news of escape comes as a shock.
“This person was fingered by illegal miners who have resurfaced from the shaft and a video in police possession showing him as one of the brutal people underground who controlled all operations, killed, tortured and assaulted many and even kept food away from other illegal miners.
“I call on members of the public to notify nearby police stations when they come across Tiger as he is considered dangerous and fugitive of justice The fact of the matter is that, there are many good police officers out there and if there are those who are involved in aiding Tiger, an example should be made out of them to show that they have chosen a wrong career in the police,” he said.
Morweng said those police officers must be dealt with harshly. He said they cannot tolerate those kinds of officers in their ranks.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of North West Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety and Transport Management, Freddy Sonakile said they are deeply concerned by reports that the alleged ‘Kingpin’ in the Stilfontein illegal mining saga has escaped police custody after resurfacing from Shaft 11 last week. Sonakile said this incident is particularly troubling as the police have been making strides through Operation Vala Umgodi to combat illegal mining.
“We urge the police to dedicate all resources towards capturing the alleged kingpin and to thoroughly investigate how this escape occurred. More concerning is the report that the kingpin was never booked into various police stations along with other illegal miners, suggesting a possible inside job.
“The committee previously engaged with SAPS in an in-committee meeting, during an oversight visit to Stilfontein last year, October 2024, where concerns were raised by the committee about the involvement of kingpins in illegal mining operations and alleged collusion with police officials,” he said.
Sonakile said at that time, the committee was assured that the situation was under control, even though the recent incident raises serious doubts. He said once the dust settles, they will revisit Stilfontein to conduct further oversight and request a joint meeting with all relevant stakeholders, including the Departments of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Home Affairs and the police.
“We urge the police to act swiftly in re-arresting the alleged kingpin. We believe the kingpin holds vital information in uncovering the real masterminds behind these illegal mining operations. Heads must roll, and police officials complicit in criminal activities must be held accountable.
“This incident highlights critical deficiencies in intelligence operations and raises concerns about the integrity of policing efforts in addressing the illegal mining crisis,” said Sonakile.
The Guardian 