Introduction: The Manhunt for ‘Tiger’
South Africa has been gripped by a dramatic police manhunt for James Neo Tshoaeli, nicknamed Tiger, the alleged kingpin of illegal mining operations at a disused gold mine near Stilfontein. Since January 2025, when 78 bodies were discovered underground, authorities have been scrambling to locate this elusive figure. Tiger, who escaped police custody months ago, remains missing despite intensive search efforts. This blog unpacks the story behind Tiger’s rise, the tragic mining deaths, and the socio-economic crisis fueling illegal mining in South Africa and neighbouring Lesotho.
Who Is ‘Tiger’ and Why Is He Wanted?
Tiger is a 42-year-old man originally from Lesotho, a small, mountainous country completely surrounded by South Africa. He was detained for allegedly running illegal mining operations where workers, known as zama zamas, extract gold in hazardous conditions. Police accuse him of orchestrating activities at the abandoned Stilfontein mine where dozens of miners perished in January. However, after being captured, Tiger reportedly escaped with the help of four policemen currently out on bail awaiting trial.
The Human Cost: Families and Communities Left Behind
The search for Tiger is not just a police matter—it highlights a deeper humanitarian crisis. Many illegal miners come from impoverished areas of Lesotho and South Africa, risking their lives underground to support families. Tiger’s own family in Mokhotlong, Lesotho, has not seen him in eight years. His mother, Mampho Tshoaeli, describes him as a once peaceful child who became the family’s main provider after their father’s death. Despite the accusations, she struggles to reconcile the manhunt with her memories and fears Tiger may be dead or worse.
Inside the Stilfontein Mine Tragedy
Stilfontein made headlines worldwide after 78 miners’ bodies were found trapped underground. Many victims, including 39-year-old Supang Khoaisanyane from Bobete village in Lesotho, left families behind, hoping to find better work. Supang’s family recounts the harsh realities faced by these miners—dangerous working conditions compounded by a lack of food and water, worsened by a controversial government strategy to “smoke out” illegal miners by cutting off supplies. This tactic drew widespread criticism for its inhumanity and likely contributed to the tragic deaths.
The Illegal Mining Syndicate: A Complex Pyramid
Experts like mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli explain that Tiger is unlikely the top boss of the syndicate. The illegal mining trade is a pyramid with miners at the bottom risking their lives underground. Above them are middle managers and financiers who supply cash, and at the top are powerful figures close to politicians who reap the biggest profits. Tiger’s role is thought to be supervisory, managing miners underground rather than orchestrating the entire syndicate.
Why Do So Many Risk It All? The Socio-Economic Context
Lesotho faces staggering unemployment rates near 50% for youth, with limited formal job opportunities. Many young men join illegal mining in South Africa driven by poverty and a lack of alternatives. According to World Bank data, Lesotho remains one of the poorest nations globally. For Tiger and many like him, illegal mining was initially a means to support loved ones, though it has since pulled them into a deadly underworld.
Ongoing Search and the Future
South African police continue their search for Tiger, but his whereabouts remain unknown. The case remains a symbol of the broader illegal mining crisis engulfing the region. Authorities face the challenge of dismantling powerful syndicates while addressing the economic desperation that drives young men underground. Until then, families like Tiger’s and Supang’s continue to wait for answers, mourning loved ones lost to a perilous pursuit of survival.
Conclusion: Beyond the Manhunt
The story of Tiger and the Stilfontein tragedy exposes the harsh realities behind South Africa’s illegal mining industry—an intersection of crime, poverty, and human resilience. It calls for urgent reforms to protect vulnerable miners and tackle the systemic issues driving illegal operations. As the manhunt for Tiger goes on, so does the fight for justice and safety in one of the world’s most dangerous industries.
👉 Related Reading: Inside South Africa’s Illegal Mining Crisis