'Tiger' on the loose: North West MEC blames police for alleged Stilfontein kingpin's escape

The North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management has blamed the police for the escape of alleged illegal mining kingpin James Neo Tshoaeli.

MEC Wessels Morweng said the escape was an embarrassment to the state.

In the case that bears striking resemblance to the rapist and murder, Thabo Bester's escape from the Mangaung Correctional Centre on May 3, 2022, Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national, also known as 'Tiger' fled from police custody as miners were being brought to the surface from the disused shaft 11 at the Stilfontein mine in the North West last week.

"Extensive investigations and tracing operations are underway to locate the officials who aided his escape from shaft 11 to the Stilfontein police holding cells. According to records, Tiger was never booked into several other stations where illegal miners are being held.  Tiger is also not admitted at a local hospital for further medical care," said national police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Stilfontein ringleader 

Tiger is accused of being a ringleader underground and one of the main people who controlled operations.

"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," Mathe said.

Morweng said officials will face punishment for their conduct in the matter.

"We have always been consistent and not in denial of the fact that some amongst our police are not adhering to the principles and oath of office they took when they assumed responsibility as police officers," he said.

"Let me assure you the officials who are involved in this matter will be stripped off their badges and face the full might of the law, as it is unacceptable to have criminals disguised as police officials," Morweng said.

Police Ministry spokesperson, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said Minister Senzo Mchunu is aware of the incident.

"Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the matter, and all necessary measures are being taken to locate the individual and ensure accountability.

At this stage, we are working closely with the relevant authorities to address the situation and will provide further updates as more information becomes available," Mogotsi.

Is Tiger the real kingpin?

The Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) said it made no sense for Tiger to have been the only kingpin operating underground.

MACUA's Magnificent Mndebele said while there are allegations against Tiger, it is unrealistic to think he was acting along underground.

"If you've been starving for two months and now there's food, will you allow one person to hoard food? It defies human logic," he said.

Mndebele said police and the Department of Correctional Services should be accountable for Tiger's escape.

He explained that the local community were refused access to the mine to assist with rescue efforts.

"There was heavy security at the mine. All we wanted as MACUA was for the miners to be brought up to the surface and then law enforcement to take over, well now we see what those law enforcement look like; letting kingpins escape," he said.

Police help

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, added that it was impossible to believe that Tiger was the kingpin, he is being made out to be.

"The real kingpins don't work inside the mine. There is also no doubt that there was significant police involvement in Tiger's escape. In such a controlled environment it should be nearly impossible for someone to escape. Tiger had been underground for a long time and this should not have been allowed to happen as easily as it did," Cameron said.

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

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