James Neo Tshoaeli, known as “Tiger,” remains at large, baffling South African authorities four months after escaping custody.
The 42-year-old Lesotho national was detained in connection with illegal operations at an abandoned gold mine near Stilfontein, where 78 bodies were discovered in January. Police allege he escaped with the assistance of four officers, who are now out on bail awaiting trial.
To understand Tiger’s background and the impact of the mine tragedy, we travelled to Lesotho, visiting his family in Mokhotlong.
His mother, Mampho Tshoaeli, and brother, Thabiso, described Tiger as a peaceful child who dreamed of becoming a police officer. However, after their father’s death, Tiger, at age 21, became the family’s head and sought work in South African mines, joining the ranks of zama zamas (illegal miners).
His mother recalled his early days as a zama zama, highlighting his role as the family’s primary provider. They last saw him in 2017, after which he left with his then-wife.
Ms. Tshoaeli learned of Tiger’s alleged involvement in the Stilfontein operation through social media, expressing disbelief and profound concern for his safety.
While police portray Tiger as a ringleader, a friend from Stilfontein, Ayanda, suggests he held a more supervisory role within the mine’s illegal operations.
Mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli corroborates this, explaining the hierarchical structure of illegal mining syndicates, with powerful figures operating above ground, far removed from the dangerous underground work.
The human cost of these illegal operations is starkly illustrated by the story of Supang Khoaisanyane, a 39-year-old Lesotho national whose body was recovered from the Stilfontein mine. His family, in the remote village of Bobete, described his desperate search for work in South Africa to support his family.
His unfinished cement house stands as a poignant symbol of his unfulfilled aspirations. His family learned of his fate only after his death and criticized the authorities’ controversial strategy of cutting off food and water to the mine, contributing to the miners’ deaths.
While Supang’s family has laid him to rest, Tiger’s mother and brother remain in the agonizing wait for news, as the South African police continue their search.
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica