BETRAYED BY A BROTHER: Businessman Benjy Maponya Breaks 3-Year Silence on Being Betrayed By Mining Magnet ‘Solly’ Soka Madibela of MySol Holdings
For three years, North West businessman Benjy Maponya watched from the sidelines as his former best friend and business partner, well-known mining magnet Solomon “Solly” Soka Madibela of MySol Holdings, spoke publicly about his financial downfall.
Today, Maponya has finally broken his silence, launching a scathing exposé on the man he once trusted with his life.
In an emotional and explosive revelation, Maponya claims he is the true founder of the N4 Cluster mining operation.
Originally appointed by Samancor alongside a company called VJ Coal for an opencast project at Buffels West, Maponya was forced to seek a technical partner when VJ Coal was liquidated.
He turned to Madibela—a man he considered a brother.
“We used to share a 2kg chicken portion,” Maponya recalls.
“I used to borrow him my car. We were like brothers. I trusted him with my life, not knowing that he would betray me in the worst possible way.”
According to Maponya, a joint venture contract was signed, but it did not take long for greed to fracture the brotherhood.
Within months, payment discrepancies emerged, leading to explosive arguments. Soon after, Maponya was abruptly cut off from his shares.
Maponya alleges that he was handed a bizarre and controlling list of conditions if he wanted to keep receiving his contractually agreed payments.
Maponya claimed that he was told to leave his wife because they claimed she “was not good” for him.
He was ordered to move out of his home in Hartbeespoort and relocate to Majakaneng.
Thirdly he was told to stop hosting soccer tournaments, building houses for locals, and organizing community events.
Maponya further claimed e was ordered to delete his Facebook account.
Maponya believes a major breaking point occurred when he refused to accompany Madibela to a sangoma, stating he did not believe in them.
“Tell them how you wanted me to leave my wife and promised if I did, you would continue to pay me,” challenge Maponya. “I refused all of it.”
Following his refusal, Maponya was locked out of the business premises.
The tender was allegedly re-advertised and absorbed by Madibela’s company, despite a standing agreement meant to last the entire lifespan of the opencast mine.
Maponya maintains that he still holds a valid contract and that Samancor possesses all the official records.
Maponya had purchased a luxury house in Hartbeespoort worth R2.1 million, with monthly installments of R115,000.
With only R700,000 remaining on the balance, the sudden halt in income left him unable to pay for nine months, forcing him to surrender the property.
Left with nothing, Maponya and his wife moved to Majakaneng, building a modest 3-room structure on a family member’s property.
“I cannot challenge it because I cannot afford court,” Maponya admits. “I decided to leave it and start a new life with my wife—the woman I chose over money.”
Despite previous offers for high-profile interviews from two of South Africa’s largest broadcasters, Maponya chose peace and declined.
However, he says recent campaigns to humiliate and silence him have pushed him over the edge.
Maponya claims he is currently being targeted because he is actively fighting for justice for an unnamed individual who was brutally murdered by five known suspects who remain at large.
He further alleges that his detractors have gone as far as attempting to trap him with fabricated rape allegations via leaked voice notes.
Anticipating a coordinated smear campaign following his public statement today, 07 October 2026, Maponya expects paid social media trolls to target him online.
With his silence officially broken, Maponya fears for his and his family’s safety, recalling an incident three years ago when “fake police” were sent to his home to intimidate his wife.
He is now urgently appealing to broadcasters who previously sought interviews, as well as independent funders, to step forward.
“Today I am calling out to those who wanted to assist me with funding and personal security to assist me with this case because I am now afraid my life will be at risk once I release this,” Maponya warned. “My silence about our story does not mean I have nothing to say.”
DEVELOPING STORY…..
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