Illegal mining kingpin escaped during South Africa disaster with help from officers, police say

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — An alleged ringleader of illegal gold mining, known as “Tiger,” escaped with the help of police after resurfacing last week from an abandoned mine in South Africa . where dozens of miners died and 246 were rescued, authorities announced Monday.

Police said the suspect – identified as James Neo Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national but commonly known as “Tiger” – was among those who came out of the mine near the town of Stilfontein during a rescue operation last week, following a months-long standoff between police and men illegally panning for gold.

But he was never arrested by officers at police stations where survivors were taken after being arrested for illegal mining offences, police said. An investigation is underway to determine who helped him flee.

The Acting Police Commissioner of the North-West Province, Maj.-Gen. Patrick Asaneng said this was a hindrance to the police operation.

Nearly 2,000 miners were working illegally underground at the Buffelsfontein gold mine, southwest of Johannesburg, police said. A total of 87 of them died underground, 78 bodies were recovered during the official rescue operation and nine others were evacuated earlier by community members.

Civic groups said many died of starvation or dehydration after police cut off their food supplies for a time to try to force them to leave the mine.

But Tshoaeli would be responsible for certain deaths, attacks and torture which allegedly took place in hiding, police said.

Authorities have evidence of his involvement from survivor testimonies and video footage, police spokeswoman Athlenda Mathe said. Tshoaeli also allegedly hoarded and kept food away. other illegal minerspolice said.

“Extensive investigations and search operations are underway to trace those responsible who aided in his escape from Shaft 11 to the Stilfontein Police holding cells,” Mathe said. “According to records, Tiger has never been enrolled in various other stations where illegal minors are held. Tiger is also not admitted to a local hospital for further medical treatment.

Illegal mining is rife in some of the approximately 6,000 disused or abandoned mines in South Africa where official operations have ended. Large groups of miners often spend months underground to maximize their profits – taking with them food, water, generators and other equipment, but also relying on other members of their group on the surface to send more supplies.

Illicit minors are known as “zama-zamas” – “scammers” or “chancers” in the Zulu language. Although many are poor and desperate for money, these groups are often led by armed kingpins who are part of criminal syndicates.

Minors’ accounts who spoke to the Associated Press revealed that hundreds of people were trapped and facing starvation, hunger and disease after police arrived at the Stilfontein mine last August and cut off supplies for a some time. Others fell and died while trying to escape the mine, according to the groups representing them.

The rescue operation at Shaft 11 of the mine was called off last Thursday after rescuers and volunteers helping recover miners and bodies said there were no more survivors or bodies underground. Cameras and motion detection equipment were also used to determine this.

However, some community members and civic groups have raised concerns that there may be more bodies underground at the other shaft, where many miners tried to escape.