Four police officers appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court in North West in connection with the escape from lawful custody of alleged Stilfontein underground kingpin, Neo 'Tiger' Tshwaeli. Tiger disappeared between Shaft 11 and the police station two weeks ago after being rescued from underground.

COPS ARREST

North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said the four police officers who are attached to the Stilfontein Vala Umgodi operation were arrested this morning. "They have already appeared before the Stilfontein Magistrate's Court on a charge of defeating the ends of justice. All four members have been granted bail of R1000 each," Mokgwabone said. He added that internal departmental processes are underway. Acting Provincial Commissioner General Patrick Asaneng welcomed the arrest and said no one, including their officers, is above the law. "We are pleased but at the same time disappointed in the arrest of our own. Let the law take its course," Asaneng said.

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF TIGER

Two weeks ago, national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a manhunt was launched for the alleged zama zama kingpin and that they had launched an operation to find the officials who aided his escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells. At the time, Mathe said that according to their records, Tiger was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners were kept and was not in any health facility. "He is being fingered in several statements as one of the ringleaders who controlled operations underground. He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground of being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault, and torture that are alleged to have taken place, according to videos in police possession. He is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners," Mathe said then. Asaneng said that the search for Tiger was ongoing. "We believe we will get answers soon from those allegedly responsible for his release from lawful custody."