By Crime and Courts Reporter-South African police are hunting for James Neo Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national known as “Tiger,” who escaped from custody after being rescued from the infamous Stilfontein Mine in North West Province.

Tiger, allegedly the kingpin of illegal mining operations in the area, is accused of heinous crimes, including withholding food from fellow miners, resulting in the starvation deaths of 87 individuals of various nationalities.

The tragedy has drawn widespread attention to the dangerous and exploitative conditions within South Africa’s illegal mining industry.

Among those rescued from the mine were hundreds of miners, including alleged Zimbabweans.

The Zimbabwean Embassy is actively working to verify the identities of its nationals among the survivors and deceased, with DNA testing being considered for unidentifiable remains.

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi, expressed the embassy’s commitment to providing consular support, stating last week that steps are underway to assist affected families.

South African National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Tiger escaped while en route to the Stilfontein police holding cells after resurfacing from Shaft 11 at the mine.

Major General Patrick Asaneng, North West’s acting provincial commander, has ordered an intensive manhunt and vowed disciplinary action against any officials implicated in the escape.

“Extensive investigations are underway to trace the suspect and identify the individuals who facilitated his escape,” Brigadier Mathe said. “Tiger was never officially booked into other detention facilities or admitted to any local hospitals. He is a fugitive and is considered extremely dangerous.”

Videos in police possession allegedly show Tiger orchestrating operations underground, with surviving miners accusing him of assault, torture, and denying food to others.

He is believed to have wielded significant power in the illegal mining network, which continues to thrive despite ongoing crackdowns under Operation Vala Umgodi, launched in December 2023.

Major General Asaneng described the escape as a “serious embarrassment” to the operation and vowed to hold accountable those responsible. “We will ensure that Tiger is brought to justice and that this incident does not undermine our commitment to tackling illegal mining,” he said.