North West police to withdraw from Stilfontein mine - Asaneng
North West acting police commissioner, Patrick Asaneng, said while the purpose of Operation Vala Umgodi was to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the country, officers could not be stationed to guard the abandoned mine forever.
Police process illegal miners at a abandoned mine in Stilfontein after they resurfaced on 30 November 2024. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - North West acting police commissioner, Patrick Asaneng, told a press briefing that police will finally withdraw from the Stillfontein mine.
Police were updating the media on the investigation of escaped fugitive, Neo Tshoaeli, known as "Tiger", who is allegedly the brains behind the illegal underground operations.
Tshoaeli escaped from custody last week after police concluded their operations to bring illegal miners at the Buffelsfontein shaft to the surface.
Asaneng said while the purpose of Operation Vala Umgodi was to clamp down on illegal mining activities in the country, officers could not be stationed to guard the abandoned mine forever.
READ: North West police working with Lesotho to track down alleged illegal mining kingpin
Whether the mine is abandoned or owned by a particular company, police would have to hand it over to the Department of Mineral Resources.
According to Asaneng, the responsibility for securing abandoned mines lies with the department.
"In as far as Stillfontein is concerned, we as the ministry of police and as police, are engaging the Department of Mineral Resources because it is their responsibility to deal with matters mining."
He added that the officers who helped Tshoaeli escape embarrassed the police.