JOHANNESBURG — Authorities confirmed that a suspected leader of an illegal gold mining operation, known by the nickname “Tiger,” managed to evade capture with assistance from police officials. This occurred after he emerged from an abandoned mine in South Africa last week, where a tragic incident resulted in the deaths of numerous miners and the rescue of 246 individuals.
The individual, whose real name is James Neo Tshoaeli and who hails from Lesotho, was among those rescued near Stilfontein. This operation was initiated following a prolonged stand-off involving law enforcement and illegal miners. However, despite being part of the rescue effort, Tshoaeli was not processed by police at any station, leading to an ongoing investigation concerning the circumstances of his escape and who may have aided him.
The acting police commissioner for the North West province, Maj.-Gen. Patrick Asaneng, expressed disappointment regarding the situation, highlighting the embarrassment it brings to the police department.
Authorities reported that nearly 2,000 miners were engaged in illegal activities below ground at the Buffelsfontein Gold Mine, located southwest of Johannesburg. Out of these miners, approximately 87 lost their lives underground. Official recovery efforts resulted in the retrieval of 78 bodies, while an additional nine were brought to the surface by local residents prior to the formal rescue operation.
Civic organizations have voiced concerns that many of the deceased miners succumbed to starvation and dehydration due to police cutting off their food supplies in an attempt to drive them out of the mine. Meanwhile, Tshoaeli faces serious allegations related to the deaths, as well as claims of assault and torture occurring within the mine.
Evidence collected by authorities, which includes survivor testimony and video recordings, implicates Tshoaeli’s involvement in these atrocities. Reports indicate that he hoarded food and denied access to it for other miners.
Law enforcement is conducting thorough investigations and tracking operations to identify any police personnel who may have assisted in Tshoaeli’s release from custody, specifically between Shaft 11 and the nearby Stilfontein police cells. Records suggest that he was never formally admitted to various police stations or hospitalized for any medical needs.
South Africa grapples with widespread illegal mining activities, often prevalent in around 6,000 abandoned or inactive mines across the country. Large groups of miners frequently venture underground for extended periods, bringing supplies such as food, water, and generators, while also depending on support from those on the surface to send additional provisions.
These illicit miners, referred to as “zama-zamas,” which translates to “hustlers” or “chancers” in Zulu, are often motivated by poverty and desperation for financial gain. However, the operations are frequently controlled by armed leaders connected to organized criminal rings.
Testimonies from miners indicate that many faced dire conditions, with reports of starvation, illness, and injuries occurring after law enforcement intervened at the Stilfontein mine last August. Some miners are believed to have died in attempts to escape after falling during their efforts.
The rescue operation at Shaft 11 concluded last Thursday, as rescuers determined that no more survivors or bodies were located underground. Techniques such as camera surveillance and motion detection had been employed in the assessment process.
Despite the conclusion of the operation, community members and advocacy groups continue to express concerns, suggesting that additional bodies might still be trapped underground in different areas of the mine where many miners sought to flee.
