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South African police have launched a manhunt for James Neo Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national known as “Tiger,” who is accused of controlling operations at an abandoned gold mine in Stilfontein, where 78 corpses were discovered last week.
Police revealed that Tshoaeli was rescued from the mine but escaped with the alleged help of officials. More than 240 illegal miners, known locally as “zama zamas” (Zulu for “those who try their luck”), were rescued alive after months of being trapped underground. The mine had been blockaded by police to cut off food and water supplies, forcing the miners to surface.
According to some miners, Tshoaeli was responsible for deaths, assaults, and torture in the mine. Police also allege that he hoarded food, leaving many miners emaciated and weak when they emerged.
National police commissioner Patrick Asaneng vowed to hold accountable those who facilitated Tshoaeli’s escape, saying, “Heads will roll.” Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe expressed disappointment and embarrassment over the incident during an appearance on Newzroom Afrika, confirming an internal investigation into the escape.
The mine rescue operation was initiated last week after a court order compelled authorities to act. The 78 bodies recovered present a significant challenge for identification, as many of the deceased were undocumented migrants.
The Stilfontein mine, located about 145km (90 miles) southwest of Johannesburg, has since been cleared of both survivors and bodies, according to police.
The tragedy has drawn sharp criticism from rights activists and a trade union, who have accused authorities of a “massacre.” Police, however, defended their actions, emphasizing the need to address criminality and attributing much of the suffering underground to kingpins like Tshoaeli, who allegedly controlled supplies and prevented miners from resurfacing.
Illegal mining is a significant issue in South Africa, a mineral-rich country where thousands risk their lives in abandoned mines. The incident underscores the human cost of the country’s illegal mining crisis.
