Manhunt for Stilfontein leader who escaped custody

Police in the North West are on the hunt for an alleged illegal mining kingpin and leader who escaped from police cells.

The alleged kingpin resurfaced from shaft 11 at the Stilfontein mine in the North West last week.

Police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe said the man is a citizen of Lesotho and according to records, his name is James Neo Tshoaeli, but he is commonly known as Tiger.

“According to records, Tiger was never booked at several other stations where some illegal miners are being held. Tiger was also not admitted to a local hospital for further medical care,” she said.

She said Tiger is a fugitive from justice and is considered dangerous.

Mathe said acting provincial commissioner for North West Major General Patrick Asaneng ordered the mobilization of maximum resources to find Tiger, who was named in several statements as one of the leaders of the group controlling underground operations.

She said he is also being accused by some illegal miners who have resurfaced underground as being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assaults and torture that allegedly occurred according to videos in the possession of the police. She said Tiger is also suspected of having hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners.

“Extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find the officials who assisted his escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police cells,” she said.