Illegal mining kingpin flee from custody

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Police have launched manhunt for alleged illegal mining kingpin who escaped from police custody after resurfacing from shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week.

A Lesotho national, James Neo Tshoaeli, commonly known as Tiger is considered a fugitive of justice and deemed dangerous.

North West acting police commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng has since ordered maximum resources to be mobilised in finding the alleged ringleader.

Adding that heads will roll once they find those officials that assisted the Tiger ‘to find his jungle’.

“Extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find those officials who aided his escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells.

“According to records, Tiger was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners are being kept. He is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care,” he expressed. 

Mining kingpin fingered in underground operations

Asaneng revealed that Tshoaeli is being fingered in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled operations underground, hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners.

He continued; “Tiger 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.

The Major General expressed disappointment in what he terms as an embarrassment to the Vala Umgodi operation that has been running from December 2023. 

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He further vowed to ensure that those responsible for this escape from custody are brought to book and that Tiger is found. 

“We advised members of the public to share any information pertaining to his whereabouts to the Stilfontein police station,” he added.