Tiger allegedly escaped from the police custody in mid-January, after resurfacing from the mine shaft 11 at Stilfontein, in the North West.

The arrest of four police officers follows extensive investigations and tracing operations to find the officials who aided Tiger’s escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells.

In a statement issued on Saturday, committee chairperson, Freddy Sonakile, commended the arrest of four police officers.

While noting the arrest as a step in the right direction, Sonakile warned this is far from enough to ensure full accountability and justice.

“The committee requests the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to argue for the harshest possible sentence against these officers to set a strong precedent and deter further misconduct within law enforcement. Additionally, to explore additional charges beyond defeating the ends of justice, ensuring that the officers face the full might of the law for their role in this criminal act.

“Furthermore, internal disciplinary proceedings must be expedited to ensure that these officers are swiftly removed from the police service. If found guilty, they must face the strongest possible sanctions, as law enforcement cannot afford to retain individuals who actively undermine the justice system, and enable organised crime,” Sonakile said.

Sonakile added that the arrests of the officers, do not resolve the larger issue, as Tiger remains at large.

“Until he is recaptured and held accountable, the core of this crisis remains unresolved. The committee demands full transparency from law enforcement on the ongoing search efforts and expects a clear strategy to ensure his swift arrest.

“It is deeply troubling that at a time when Operation Vala Umgodi is making strides in combating illegal mining, corrupt elements within the police force are actively working against these efforts” Sonakile said.

He said the committee remains resolute in its plan to convene all key stakeholders to address the systemic failures exposed by this Stilfontein saga—including the influx of undocumented foreign nationals, weak intelligence operations, and the failure to enforce proper mine closure regulations.

“The North West cannot afford a compromised police force that enables criminals to operate with impunity. The committee will continue to push for greater police accountability, and a relentless pursuit of justice for all those involved in this criminal network,” Sonakile said.

Briefing the media on Sunday, National Commissioner of South African Police Service, General Fannie Masemola, said the arrested police have been removed from Operation Vala Umgodi, and internal departmental proceedings are currently underway.

Masemola announced that more than 1 700 illegal miners that were arrested from August 2024 in Stilfontein are still in police custody.

He said 121 illegal miners, including 80 Mozambicans, 30 Basotho nationals, 10 Zimbabweans, as well as one Congolese and Malawian, have already been deported.

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According to Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, the province is home to 1041 “derelict and ownerless (D&O)” mines.

Nompumelelo Mhlongo, National Assembly (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) for the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), asked specifically about the number of abandoned and/or closed mines in the Rustenburg area, and which land rehabilitation programmes were underway to ensure community safety. However, Mhlongo was informed that government statistics do not make provision for towns and cities, and are based on provincial rankings.

In order to prevent illegal mining and ensure environmental management and community safety, Mhlongo was informed rehabilitation of D&O mines is underway. Mantashe noted that the programme was embarked on to seal unsafe mine shafts throughout the country. However,  Mantashe’s reply gives no numbers regarding the rehabilitation or shaft sealing, but noted there is a priority ranking in place “especially in close proximity to human settlements”.

Mantashe’s response noted the department is committed to annually rehabilitating three asbestos mines and closing 40 unsafe mine shafts/openings. However, “the number of mines to be rehabilitated is determined by the funding from the National Treasury, which is currently not adequate,” noted Mantashe.

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The suspects were apprehended for crimes including sexual offences, murder, rape, attempted murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, drug trafficking, illegal liquor dealing, possession of drugs, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, burglaries at both business and residential premises, driving under the influence of alcohol, and illicit mining activities involving gold-bearing material.

In addition to the arrests, 301 individuals suspected of being undocumented were detained and processed by Immigration Officials. A total of 372 arrests were made during targeted detective operations aimed at high-risk suspects.

As part of the comprehensive operations, law enforcement officers conducted searches at 203 premises, 2569 individuals, and 543 vehicles. They also carried out compliance inspections at 131 licensed liquor outlets, 72 second-hand goods dealers, and 29 farms. The operations led to significant seizures, including 83 rounds of ammunition, eight firearms, three vehicles, various drugs, and assorted alcoholic beverages.

Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, the Provincial Commissioner of North West, praised all involved for their commitment and for asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all citizens. “This operation underscores our collective dedication to combatting crime and maintaining public order,” he said.

Limpopo, meanwhile, between 4 and 10 November saw 611 suspects arrested as part of Shanela operations that included roadblocks, stop and searches, and tracing of wanted suspects. Four firearms and 28 ‘dangerous weapons’ were seized, one stolen or hijacked motor vehicle was recovered, and small quantities of drugs were seized, the SAPS said.

The previous week (28 October to 3 November), nationwide Shanela operations netted 13020 arrests, including 2052 wanted suspects, 1122 illegal immigrants, 579 drunk drivers, and 140 murder suspects. Nearly 100 firearms and 1180 rounds of ammunition were also confiscated, along with 44 hijacked or stolen vehicles.

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In a statement from the SAPS, Lieutenant General Shadrack Sibiya commended the Vala Umgodi task teams in the North West province, who he says are “stamping the authority of the state.” The statement came after 225 illegal miners resurfaced from a mine in Orkney, due to starvation and dehydration.

The SAPS has revealed that Vala Umgodi teams, with assistance from the South African National Defence Force, are blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to illegal miners. Officers believe “hundreds if not a thousand” illegal miners are operating at the mine, and they have been “stuck underground with no food, water and necessities,” due to the efforts of law enforcement.

Officers have further “blocked communities in and around these abandoned mining [shafts] in Orkney from delivering food parcels, water and necessities to these illegal miners. This act of stamping the authority of the state eventually forced these illegal miners to resurface”

“We are closely monitoring the situation that is unfolding in the North West province, we are not backing down until all those illegal miners resurface and are arrested. Since its inception in December 2023 to date, more than 13 691 suspects have been arrested in the seven provinces that are hotspots for illegal mining. We have seized R5 million in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million through Operation Vala Umgodi”, said Sibiya.

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The arrests were made when the illegal miners resurfaced from underground in Orkney, as a result of starvation and dehydration over the weekend.

“These 225 illegal miners are part of others believed to be hundreds if not a thousand illegal miners who are stuck underground with no food, water and necessities because the Vala Umgodi teams,” said the police.

The teams are led by the SAPS and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) who are “blocking routes used to deliver food and necessities to these illegal miners.”

“Just earlier this week, SAPS and members of the SANDF blocked communities in and around these abandoned mining shifts in Orkney from delivering food parcels, water and necessities to these illegal miners,” the police said.

The act of stamping the authority of the state eventually forced these illegal miners to resurface.

“This operation is ongoing, and the SAPS and the SANDF are still monitoring these old abandoned mine shafts as more and more illegal miners resurface,” the SAPS said on Saturday.

Sibiya said Operation Vala Umgodi is yielding positive results across the country.

“We are closely monitoring the situation that is unfolding in the North West province, we are not backing down until all those illegal miners resurface and are arrested. Since its inception in December 2023 to date, more than 13 691 suspects have been arrested in the seven provinces that are hotspots for illegal mining.

“We have seized R5 million in cash and uncut diamonds worth R32 million through Operation Vala Umgodi,” said the Lieutenant General.

The majority of those that have been arrested are inclusive of South Africans, Mozambicans, and Basotho nationals.

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According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the suspects arrested across all districts in the province were held for crimes, including murder, attempted murder, assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm, dealing in drugs, malicious damage to property and driving under the influence of alcohol.

A total of 374 suspects were arrested in raiding operations.

Operation Shanela consists of regular stop and searches, roadblocks, vehicle check points, high visibility patrols including foot patrols, the tracing of wanted suspects with a focus of murder and rape suspects, compliance inspections at liquor outlets and second hand good dealers.

In addition, 43 suspected undocumented foreign nationals were taken in for processing by Immigration Officials.

The police also visited and searched 95 premises while 2 622 persons and 1 477 vehicles were searched.

Seven firearms, 37 ammunition, 11 cellular phones, a variety of drugs and tobacco products were confiscated.

The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena commended all law enforcement agencies and other role players for their continuous efforts in the fight against criminality.

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