A North West businessman who was arrested while attempting to leave South Africa has been granted R100 000 bail on charges of failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission.
Suliman Carrim appeared in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Wednesday where the court imposed stringent bail conditions after he was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 15 October.
The 48-year-old security company owner was apprehended shortly before boarding an international flight to Dubai. Police arrested him after the commission’s Recommendations Task Team laid criminal charges for his repeated failure to appear before the inquiry.
Why Carrim was subpoenaed
The Madlanga Commission identified Carrim as a person of interest. He was subpoenaed the following to testify about his involvement in the Medicare24 police health tender awarded to businessman Cat Matlala.
Evidence leaders at the commission alleged that Carrim was among the funders behind Matlala’s company, which received a R360 million SAPS occupational health contract. Carrim testified on nine and 10 March that he advanced Matlala about R10 million in June 2024, expecting repayment when the tender generated income. He said he ultimately lost between R8,2 million and R8,4 million, receiving only about R1,5 million back.
The commission questioned Carrim about payments his company made to entities linked to businessman Morgan Maumela, including transfers of R500 000 and R250 000. Carrim maintained that Matlala pressured him into making the payments and denied deliberately acting as a conduit for money laundering.
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Failure to return
After his initial testimony in March, Carrim failed to return for scheduled appearances in April, June and July, citing medical reasons. On 29 July, commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga directed him to appear in person on 14 August. Carrim did not appear and repeatedly failed to provide information required under the commission’s regulations.
The commission laid criminal charges for conduct it considered offences under the Commissions Act 8 of 1947.
State opposed bail
During the bail hearing, the state argued that Carrim posed a flight risk and was likely to evade trial, pointing to his arrest at the airport. The state said he had a one-way ticket and five bags when arrested. Carrim’s lawyers countered that he was travelling on a religious pilgrimage and had a return ticket dated 28 October.
The magistrate found that the interests of justice permitted his release and that risks could be managed through strict conditions.
The case was postponed to 8 December. Carrim however remains in custody due to a separate Musina Magistrates Court case involving alleged cross-border vehicle smuggling.
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