Four police officers accused of helping alleged illegal mining ringleader James “Tiger” Tshoaeli escape from custody in Stilfontein, North West, have pleaded with the court not to allow media to take photos or videos because their lives would be in danger.
One of the police officers, WO Jack Motlhabya, 37, said this during his appearance in the Stilfontein magistrate’s court on Wednesday.
Motlhabya appeared alongside his co-accused WO Menzi Shabalala, 38, Sgt Ntutuko Dladla, 40, and Sgt Samkelo Mbotho, 38, who were also in opposition of their faces being shown. They were arrested in January and are out on bail.
Motlhabya said he and his co-accused were involved in operations across the country and would not be safe should their faces be shown, adding they were still performing their duties.
“Our lives would be threatened,” he said, adding they are in the intelligence unit working with informers as part of investigations.
He said their informers might feel unsafe if their faces were to be shown and some of their colleagues were against them.
The four appeared without legal representation.
The court ruled in their favour, ordering the media not to take videos or photos of the accused.
Jeanette Chabalala
www.sowetanlive.co.za
