Zuko Komisa

The South African Police Service (SAPS) in the North West are searching for an alleged illegal mining kingpin and ringleader who fled from police custody.
James Neo Tshoaeli, popularly known as ‘Tiger’, is reported to have fled police custody after resurfacing from mine shaft 11 in Stilfontein last week.
Members of the public are asked to report any information concerning his location to the Stilfontein police station.
Last week, 246 illegal miners were rescued from the abandoned mine. Rescuers also discovered 78 bodies.
National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, stated that Tiger, a Lesotho national, had not been booked into any of the police stations where the other miners were being held.
“Extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to find those officials who aided his escape between shaft 11 and the Stilfontein police holding cells. According to records, TIGER was never booked into various other stations where some illegal miners are being kept. TIGER is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care.
The alleged kingpin and ringleader is a Lesotho national and according to records his name is James Neo Tshoaeli but is commonly known as TIGER.
TIGER is being fingered in several statements as one of the ring leaders who controlled operations underground. He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced underground as him being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault and torture that is alleged to have taken place according to videos in police possession. He is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners,” said Mathe.

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