Four cops arrested for illegal mining kingpin escape

National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrests on Friday.

The Lesotho national underground illegal mining kingpin resurfaced from shaft 11in Stilfontein earlier this month but never made it to police holding cells.

Tshwaeli is accused of assault, torture, and hoarding underground, is considered extremely dangerous.

Earlier this month, Mathe stated that Tshwaeli is being identified in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled underground operations at the Buffelsfontein mine.

"He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground as him being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault and torture that is 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," said Mathe.