The North West Department of Health has assured the public that all illegal miners currently hospitalized at Tshepong/Klerksdorp Hospital are in stable condition and under strict security measures. Despite being heavily guarded, many of the miners are receiving treatment for dehydration, a common condition among those involved in illegal mining activities. According to Tshegofatso Mothibedi, the department’s spokesperson, the primary concern for these miners is a lack of water, which was identified as the cause of their condition after they were examined by doctors and nurses.
The hospital has heightened security measures for these individuals, who are not only patients but also suspects in illegal mining operations. Mothibedi emphasized that while the hospital provides security for all its patients, this particular case has prompted extra precautions due to the serious nature of the miners’ involvement in violent crimes and their recent escape attempts. These miners are being isolated in a special ward, with both the hospital’s internal security team and police officers working together to ensure their confinement is secure.
Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities are still actively searching for James Neo Tshoaeli, also known as ‘Tiger,’ a notorious figure in the illegal mining world. Tshoaeli, a Lesotho national, is believed to have escaped police custody after emerging from a mine shaft in Stilfontein last week. His escape has sparked outrage from the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng, who has expressed both anger and disappointment over the incident. Morweng has called on the public to report any information regarding Tshoaeli’s whereabouts, warning that he is considered a dangerous fugitive and a threat to public safety.
Tshoaeli’s escape has also raised questions about the integrity of law enforcement officials. Morweng stated that if any police officers are found to have aided in Tshoaeli’s escape, they should be held accountable and face severe disciplinary action. He made it clear that such behavior would not be tolerated in the police force, and he urged members of the public to help bring the fugitive to justice. Morweng’s statements reflect the seriousness with which local authorities are treating this case, particularly given the violent nature of illegal mining activities in the region.
The case has drawn significant attention to the growing issue of illegal mining in South Africa, particularly in the North West province. As authorities continue their efforts to apprehend Tshoaeli and address the broader problem of unregulated mining, the situation remains tense. The miners, who have been hospitalised under heavy guard, represent just a small part of a much larger issue involving organized crime, violence, and exploitation of the country’s natural resources.
While the immediate focus is on the health and security of the miners, law enforcement is also placing a premium on ensuring that those responsible for illegal mining operations face justice. The ongoing search for Tshoaeli is a crucial part of these efforts, and authorities are determined to prevent further escapes or disruptions that could undermine their efforts to control the illegal mining crisis in the region.
