Stilfontein: North West Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng, has ordered maximum resources to be mobilised in finding an alleged Stilfontein mining kingpin. This comes after James Neo Tshoaeli, known as ‘Tiger’, allegedly escaped from police custody after resurfacing from mine shaft 11 at Stilfontein last week.
According to South African Government News Agency, extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find the officials who aided Tiger’s escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells. Records indicate that Tiger was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners are being kept, nor is he admitted at a local hospital for further medical care.
The alleged kingpin and ringleader is a Lesotho national named James Neo Tshoaeli, commonly known as Tiger. According to the Acting Commissioner, Tiger is being fingered in several statements as one of the ringleaders controlling operations underground. He is accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground of being responsible for deaths, assault, and torture, as alleged in videos in police possession. He is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners.
Asaneng has expressed disappointment in what he terms an “embarrassment to the Vala Umgodi operation,” which has been running since December 2023. He warned that heads would roll once they find the officials that aided the kingpin’s escape from police custody.
Tiger is considered a fugitive of justice and is regarded as dangerous. Members of the public are advised to share any information regarding his whereabouts with the Stilfontein Police Station.