Authorities in the North West province are pulling out all the stops in a high-stakes manhunt for James Neo Tshoaeli, a notorious figure known as ‘Tiger,’ who is believed to be the mastermind of a large illegal mining operation in Stilfontein.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Tshoaeli recently emerged from Shaft 11 in the area only to evade capture with alleged assistance from corrupt officials.
This came after a major operation last week aimed at rescuing trapped miners, which resulted in over 200 arrests.
Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng has now declared that ‘maximum resources’ will be dedicated to tracking down Tshoaeli, who is suspected of playing a central role in the underground mining network.
Asaneng also warned that police personnel who aided in the fugitive’s escape will face severe consequences once identified.
Mathe revealed that investigations are underway to pinpoint the individuals responsible for helping Tshoaeli avoid being processed into custody after his escape from Shaft 11. His whereabouts remain unknown, with records showing that he was never booked into police stations where other miners were detained, nor has he been admitted to any local hospitals.
Tshoaeli’s involvement in the illegal mining syndicate has been confirmed through multiple testimonies, and he is believed to have been responsible for violent acts, including deaths, assaults, and the withholding of food from fellow miners. Video footage in the possession of the authorities also implicates him in various criminal activities.
Asaneng described the incident as a major setback for the ‘Vala Umgodi’ operation and reiterated the urgency of locating Tshoaeli, urging the public to come forward with any information that might assist in his capture. Police have warned that the fugitive is dangerous and should not be approached.
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Picture: Felix Dlangamandla / Gallo Images
