Carrim seeks in-camera hearing for postponement application before Madlanga Commission
North West businessman Suleiman Carrim is seeking to have his application to postpone his long-awaited testimony before the Madlanga Commission heard behind closed doors, arguing that a public hearing would violate his rights to privacy and dignity.
The commission confirmed on Friday that arguments over Carrim's latest postponement application would only be heard next Friday after his legal team submitted a substantial application only at 03:30 am, hours before the commission sitting.
Chief Evidence Leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson said the application raises a number of significant issues that require a detailed response from the commission before the matter can proceed.
"The commission only received the postponement application at 3.30 this morning, and the postponement application is a substantial application that raises non-frivolous issues to which we need to respond."
The postponement application will now be argued before the commission on Friday, 24 July.
As part of the agreed timetable, the commission would provide Carrim with a list of the non-medical factual issues it intends to challenge in his affidavit.
It would also disclose cellphone geolocation records, call data and any other investigative material currently in its possession that it may rely on during the hearing.
Carrim would then be required to file a consolidated founding affidavit before the commission responds with its answering affidavit ahead of next Friday's hearing.
CARRIM WANTS PROCEEDINGS HELD IN-CAMERA
The commission would separately decide whether Carrim's postponement application should be heard in camera.
Carrim argued that it was impossible to separate sensitive personal information from the issues that will be argued during the postponement application.
He contends that the application would inevitably involve private information relating to his medical condition and treatment, as well as information concerning his family's movements and the security threats they have allegedly faced.
Carrim further argued that making the information public could cause serious harm to his treatment, dignity and standing within his religious community, while also placing his children at further risk and prejudicing his wife's independent business.
The chairperson will decide the in-camera application by written ruling before the postponement hearing.
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