KEY POINTS
- South Africa’s most wanted criminals are on the run.
- These fugitives are involved in violent crimes, fraud, and cybercrime.
- Authorities need public assistance to capture them before more harm is done.
The law enforcement agencies in South Africa will boost their efforts for a major crime capture operation targeting multiple prominent fugitives working in different illegal fields during February 2025. The following report includes a detailed assessment of seven individuals who are currently the most wanted by law enforcement agencies across South Africa
1.James Neo Tshoaeli
Multiple sources identify James Neo Tshoaeli as “Tiger” because he serves as a significant leader for illegal mining operations in South Africa. Multiple incidents involving assault and torture involve him together with minors’ deaths.
The authorities obtained Tshoaeli in January 2025 from an illegal Stilfontein gold mining operation after an accident claimed 78 lives yet spared 246 survivors. Under suspicious circumstances he managed to escape the arrest while triggering a national pursuit by law enforcement. The authorities investigate whether prison staff assisted the inmate to flee his detention.
2. Ruja Ignatova
The Cryptoqueen Ruja Ignatova masterminded OneCoin as part of a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme which extracted billions in investments from worldwide investors totaling $4.5 billion.
Ruja Ignatova vanished in October 2017 and has never been located since that time. Recent investigations suggest that Ignatova is hiding in Cape Town South Africa under false names and potentially after plastic surgery to prevent her arrest. The FBI alongside German authorities now offer $5 million to anyone who can lead them to Ignatova.
3. Thabo Bester
The “Facebook Rapist” alias belonged to Thabo Bester when he received multiple convictions for crimes of murder and rape. In 2023 Bester executed a risky prison escape when officials believed his fatal fire death was true.
Bester was caught in Tanzania before authorities returned him to South Africa. National law enforcement agencies are actively searching every corner of the country after Bester escaped from custody for a second time.
4. Fundile Furas Tyali
The authorities are searching for Fundile Furas Tyali because he participated in elaborate schemes of fraud combined with tax evasion activities. As a former executive in an important financial institution Tyali allegedly stole millions of Rand through complex accounting methods and offshore bank accounts. Several arrest warrants have been released by the Hawks of South Africa to apprehend Tyali.
Official authorities must seek public help for locating Tyali after multiple unsuccessful attempts at his capture because he remains elusive.
5. Frans Khazamula Makhubela
Frans Khazamula Makhubela operates as a well-known criminal in the criminal mining sector known as “zama zamas.” Makhubela designed various unauthorized mining operations that operate within Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
The establishment of these projects caused substantial environmental degradation and led to violent physical conflicts between different groups seeking control of the territories. Makhubela has managed to escape multiple police attempts and continues his secret operations thus becoming a major hurdle for law enforcement officials.
6. Michael Dumi Tootse
Michael Dumi Tootse has participated in many major cybercrimes that include identity theft with financial fraud as well as unapproved access to governmental systems. Tootses background as a programming expert allows him to successfully steal money from various financial organizations while he gains unauthorized access to personal data from multiple victims.
The tracking of his online activity remains difficult because he implements advanced methods to hide his cyber actions. The authorities warn that Tootse remains an ongoing threat to regional cybersecurity systems.
7. Neliswa Elizabeth Nofilito
Law enforcement authorities search for Neliswa Elizabeth Nofilito because she organizes human trafficking operations as well as child exploitation throughout South Africa and its surrounding countries. Through her organization Nofilito directs the process of bringing vulnerable people including children as well as adults for labor and sex-based exploitation.
Nofilito operates a meticulously planned system which uses many affiliated entities to evade detection. The law enforcement community continues intensifying their efforts to break apart criminal operations while working to bring Nofilito to justice.
Conclusion
Public contributors of information about these persons can confidently provide details to South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies. The apprehension of fugitives combined with their subsequent prosecution depends on public assistance to enhance nationwide safety and security levels.
