Zama Zama boss “Tiger” vanishes after providing key information, he bribed us with gold and cash to escape, police reveal

The escape of James Neo Tshoaeli, a notorious zama zama ringleader known as “Tiger,” has ignited a major investigation into alleged police corruption in Stilfontein.

Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national, was rescued from the abandoned Buffelsfontein gold mine shaft 11 last Wednesday. An official report confirms he left the mine in the company of police officers, but never reached the Stilfontein police station for detention as planned.

Following his rescue by the Mine Rescue Service, Tshoaeli was questioned by police and, according to sources close to the investigation, provided valuable information regarding the illegal mining operation known as Vala Umgodi.

One source told News24: “He was properly processed and questioned. He was cooperative and gave damning information to the police at the shaft. His revelations will assist the police in identifying those among them who [have been] collaborating with the illegal miners,” adding that “His information would also have assisted in revealing the real masterminds behind illegal mining.”

However, a second police source revealed a shocking development: “The officers transported him together with other illegal miners. Those illegal miners reached the police station. Only Tshoaeli didn’t. He was never detained.” The source added, “We don’t know where the officers took him. The officers who are under investigation know where Tiger is.”

Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Tshoaeli was neither booked into any police station nor admitted to a local hospital. She painted a grim picture of Tshoaeli’s role in the illegal mining operation: “Tshoaeli is being fingered in several statements as one of the ringleaders who controlled operations underground,” Mathe stated.

“He is also being accused by some illegal miners who resurfaced from underground as being allegedly responsible for some deaths, assault, and torture that is alleged to have taken place, according to videos in the police’s possession. He is also alleged to have hoarded and kept food away from other illegal miners.”

Mathe described Tshoaeli as a fugitive of justice and a dangerous individual, urging the public to share any information about his whereabouts with the Stilfontein police station.

The following day, police launched a full-scale search for Tshoaeli, mobilising “maximum resources,” according to Acting North West commissioner Major General Patrick Asaneng.

Asaneng issued a stern warning: heads will roll if any officers are found complicit in Tshoaeli’s escape. News24 has received information suggesting that Tshoaeli, a known fugitive with access to significant amounts of gold and cash, may have bribed police to facilitate his escape.

Two zama zamas who worked alongside Tshoaeli underground described him as a ruthless disciplinarian who used violence to maintain order. One miner recounted his six months underground with Tshoaeli: “I spent six months underground with Tshoaeli. He was very strict. He was notorious for instilling discipline. If he gave you an order and you didn’t oblige, you were in trouble,” he said.

The miner detailed Tshoaeli’s control over the mine’s resources: “He always had bundles of cash on him. He bought the gold that was being sold underground. He also ensured that the spaza shop in the shaft was fully stocked. He was feared. Nobody would attempt to steal from the spaza shop, his cash, or processed gold. Should you attempt, you would face his wrath.”

He described instances of brutal violence: “He didn’t hesitate to assault other zama zamas. Some were so severely beaten they needed hospitalisation,” the miner added, noting Tshoaeli’s constant communication with his superiors via cellphone.

Another zama zama offered a slightly different perspective, describing Tshoaeli as “a shy guy outside” but a strict disciplinarian underground.

“Maybe the situation underground changed him. He was like a prefect in high school. He was a disciplined person. He didn’t want mistakes underground. He wasn’t as bad as many have described him,” this miner stated.

However, he acknowledged Tshoaeli’s violent tendencies: “He used to assault people who committed wrong things,” and he also believed that Tshoaeli’s escape was not a solo operation: “I don’t believe that he escaped on his own. The police know those who helped him. They must find the culprits, and they will reveal where they took Tshoaeli,” the miner concluded.