Mining tycoon Solly “Mysol” Madibela and his bodyguards have been arrested after they allegedly assaulted a miner and transferred R55 000 from the man’s bank account.
The assault is alleged to have taken place at Madibela’s offices in North West a week ago.
The victim was allegedly pepper-sprayed on his face repeatedly causing him to urinate blood. He remains in the hospital with other men who were also assaulted.
Sunday World understands that Madibela handed himself over to the police in Mooinooi on Tuesday and is being held at the Mmakau police station’s holding cells.
“He is going to appear at the Brits magistrate’s court on Thursday,” a source at the police station told Sunday World.
“He arrived at the police station with a crowd in two taxis, in what looked like an intimidation stunt. The police arrested him after searching for him the whole weekend.”
Madibela, who is known for his over-the-top lifestyle, is the owner of Mysol Holdings, a mining company based in North West.
He owns a fleet of luxury vehicles including a Bentley, a Maserati, and a private jet.
North West police spokesperson Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone confirmed that an arrest has been made.
Last week, Mokgwabone told Sunday World that a case of assault was opened at the Mooinooi police station after a miner was allegedly attacked by Madibela and his crew.
Mokgwabone said at the time: “The said case is opened and still under investigation. No one has been arrested at this stage.”
The businessman and his bodyguards allegedly attacked the miner and his friends during a confrontation over a mining spot.
“Mysol and his eight personal bodyguards and his 10 spaceman [personal employees] assaulted seven men on Thursday, 14 September in Mooinooi in Samancor area,” said the source at the time.
The tipster said the attack happened in the presence of Mooinooi police officers.
“One man who was assaulted is today urinating blood because he was badly assaulted. A pepper spray was used on his face.”
After the alleged assault, the group is said to have taken the miner to Madibela’s offices where the tycoon’s employees threatened him with a gun.
He was forced to open his bank app and transfer R55 000 to the employees’ personal account.
“The other men were also assaulted with big sticks and beaten with guns on their heads,” said the source.
A case of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, armed robbery and pointing of a firearm was opened.
Madibela was not available for comment when Sunday World contacted him on his personal phone number and his office number last week.
He also failed to respond to a text message.
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