Stilfontein update: Search for ‘Tiger’ at ‘advanced stage’
The North West has registered a 3.9% drop in the number of criminal cases reported, although illegal mining remains a thorn in the side of authorities in the province.
On Wednesday, Community Safety MEC Wessels Morweng released the third-quarter crime statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year at a press briefing at the Stilfontein police station.
The area made international headlines when a standoff between police officers and suspected illegal miners saw non-profit organisations litigating against the government and accusing them of miners to death.
More than 90 bodies were extracted from the mine, while nearly 2000 suspects were arrested and processed by police.
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Morweng said while efforts in Stilfontein yielded results the problem of illegal mining, especially in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, was far from over.
“Just as we were having a collective sigh of relief on the back of the Stilfontein operation success, another similar challenge reared its head elsewhere in the province. The Vala Umgodi operation had recently arraigned 22 illegal mining suspects in the Bojanala District.”
While the majority of the suspects in the Stilfontein case originated from neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho, Morweng said they were beginning to see suspects from further afield.
“Of those arrested previously, nationalities varied from Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. Now added to those nationalities, we have some from Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Commissioner Patrick Asanang gave an update on the identification process for the 93 deceased suspected illegal miners extracted from the mine between November and January.
Asanang said DNA sampling has been done on the majority of the bodies.
“We are working together with the Department of Health and the SAPS Forensic Sciences laboratory to conduct DNA sampling, and so far, we have done 84 bodies; 71 of those DNA samples have been derived from the bodies. There are only two bodies from which DNA samples could not be taken.”
The acting commissioner repeated calls for concerned relatives who believe their loved ones may have been part of illegal mining activities in the area to come forward to assist police.
‘TIGER’ STILL ON THE LOOSE
Asang said the investigation into the escape of alleged underground ringleader James ‘Tiger’ Tshwaeli was at an advanced stage.
“I can indicate that our investigation is at an advanced stage. Without revealing too much about the modalities, I was speaking to our team and they have assured me.
“Because it was something that was properly planned and organised, but very soon, we will tell you.”
Earlier on Wednesday, the case against four police officers charged with aiding Tshwaeli’s escape was postponed to the end of May.
All four are out on R1,000 bail.
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