SAPS Hunts for Alleged Stilfontein Kingpin, Lesotho Man Known As Tiger Escaped Following Arrest

• The South African Police Service has launched a manhunt for a Lesotho national who was known as Tiger
• Tiger is believed to be the ringleader at Stilfontein and is said to have been responsible for some of the deaths
• The Lesotho national was arrested after he surfaced at Shaft 11 but never made it to police custody or went to hospital

North West – The South African Police Service has launched a massive manhunt for an alleged kingpin of the Stilfontein saga.

Lesotho national James Neo Tshoaeli, commonly known as Tiger, resurfaced from shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week, but there is no trace of him now.

Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Patrick Asaneng, confirmed that Tiger was never booked into a police station and has not been admitted to any local hospital for further medical care.

Police embarrassed by alleged kingpin’s disappearance

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Major General Asaneng expressed disappointment that the alleged kingpin has gone missing, describing the situation as an embarrassment to the Vala Umgodi operation.

The operation has been running since December 2023 but picked up steam in November 2024 when police stopped the community’s food and water supply to the miners.

Major General Asaneng also vowed that heads would roll once those responsible for helping Tiger escape were found.

He announced that maximum resources have now been mobilised to find Tiger and bring him to book. Investigations are underway to find those who aided his escape after he surfaced from the Stilfontein shaft.

Tiger is considered very dangerous

Police also warned that the alleged kingpin and ringleader is now a fugitive of justice and is considered dangerous.

Many of the arrested miners claimed that Tiger controlled the operations underground and even hoarded and kept food for himself.

Tiger is also alleged to be responsible for some of the deaths due to assault and torture he committed underground.

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What you need to know about the Stilfontein tragedy

• Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni promises to smoke out illegal miners
• The police confirmed that they will lower food to illegal miners still trapped underground
• Illegal miners are reportedly eating other miners who passed away in order to survive
• A large number of the illegal miners have been confirmed to be Mozambican nationals
• Mining Affected Communities United in Action slams government's handling of the Stilfontein tragedy

SAPS slams Stilfontein misinformation

In a related article, SAPS defended itself against the allegations made during the Stilfontein rescue efforts.

Briefly News reported that police were accused of arresting a volunteer blasting a mine shaft.

Police also confirmed they would continue Operation Vala Umgodi to combat illegal mining activities.

Source: Briefly News