A suspected gang leader known as “Tiger” escaped from police custody in South Africa after being pulled from an illegal gold mine last week, where at least 78 miners died. The incident occurred when the gang leader was supposed to be escorted directly to a police station for detention.
According to national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe, “Tiger” was not in the holding cells during a routine inspection and is believed to have been let free by someone within the police force. Preliminary investigations indicate that he escaped between Shaft 11 and the police station.
The police have launched an investigation into who might have assisted “Tiger” and are also looking into the deaths of at least 78 miners in the mine. Three other suspected ringleaders are in custody, while thousands of people are believed to be mining gold illegally in abandoned industrial mines in South Africa.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has stated that the state should not be held responsible for the deaths, citing that miners voluntarily entered mines and engaged in illegal activities, which ultimately led to their demise. A state-sponsored rescue last week retrieved 246 survivors from the mine, many of whom were emaciated and weak from hunger.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of gold mining operations run by Lesotho-based gangs, with police citing that some workers are recruited as illegal immigrants without knowing what they have come to do.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-african-police-launch-manhunt-gang-leader-illegal-mine-2025-01-20