Madlanga Commission: Carrim’s Thursday appearance unlikely after hospitalisation
The Madlanga Commission said that North West businessman Suliman Carrim was unlikely to appear for his scheduled testimony on Thursday after being admitted to a Johannesburg hospital.
Carrim's lawyers confirmed to the commission that he was admitted on Monday.
The businessman, who is a member of the African National Congress in the North West, was expected to return to the commission this week to continue his testimony after previously appearing last month.
READ: Carrim 'unaware' of R2.1mn payments to Matlala-linked company, Madlanga hears
He was implicated in allegations that he received R2.5 million to assist alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in securing payments linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract that was later cancelled.
COMMISSION AWAITS FORMAL MEDICAL CONFIRMATION
By Tuesday afternoon, the commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said they were still awaiting formal confirmation from Carrim’s legal team, but his appearance this week appeared unlikely.
"Mr Carrim’s legal representatives have confirmed that he has been hospitalised, and from the commission’s perspective, we are sensitive to that,” Michaels said.
He said while formal documentation was still required, the commission was working on the understanding that Carrim would not be able to testify on Thursday.
"We are awaiting formal communication, but it is already clear that he is not going to be able to appear on Thursday,” he said.
COMMISSION PRIORITISES MEDICAL CONDITION OVER APPEARANCE
Michaels added that the commission would not place Carrim under any undue pressure, given his medical condition.
"Once we receive the formal confirmation in writing, the commission will consider the medical certificate. But it is evident that if he is in hospital, he will not be able to appear, and we would not want to put him under unnecessary strain,” he said.
He said it would not be reasonable at this stage to expect clarity on when Carrim might return.
"We are working on the basis that he will not appear on Thursday. Given that he was hospitalised yesterday with what appears to be a serious condition, it is not reasonable to expect a timeline at this point,” Michaels said.
"We will engage with his legal team, and once representations are made, the commission will apply its mind to how the matter should proceed.”
[BREAKING NEWS] The #MadlangaCommission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels says North West businessman Suliman Carrim is unlikely to appear for his scheduled testimony on Thursday.
— Jacaranda FM Newswatch (@JacaNewswatch) April 14, 2026
Carrim was rushed to hospital yesterday.
Michaels says engagement with his lawyers will continue. pic.twitter.com/h7wo1Opfv3
EARLIER TESTIMONY AND DISPUTED PAYMENTS
Carrim’s legal team, led by Advocate Kameel Premhid, had previously applied for him to testify in camera, arguing that he had received threats warning him against appearing before the commission.
The team said the request was aimed at ensuring his safety and not to delay proceedings.
During his earlier testimony, Carrim told the commission he was unaware that one of his companies had made payments of more than R2 million to a firm linked to alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala.
However, evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson revealed that Carrim’s company, Tasmica Construction, made two payments totalling about R2.1 million to Matlala’s company, Medicare24, between June and October 2024.
These payments were not disclosed in Carrim’s original statement, raising questions before the commission.
EVIDENCE SUGGESTS CARRIM LINK TO WIDER TENDER-RIGGING NETWORK
In a separate testimony, he told the commission that he loaned Medicare24 R10 million in June 2024 to assist with servicing a South African Police Service tender.
Under questioning, he said the payments were processed through internal bookkeeping systems handled by an employee under instruction from his accountant, Mr Van Vuuren.
The commission also heard evidence linking Carrim to controversial businessman Morgan Maumela, who has been identified as a key figure in the alleged Tembisa hospital looting network.
It was alleged that Carrim, Maumela, and Matlala were part of a broader tender-rigging syndicate operating at Tembisa Hospital.
The Special Investigating Unit has uncovered three coordinated syndicates believed to have siphoned more than R2 billion from healthcare funds.
Evidence before the commission indicates significant money flows between entities linked to Carrim, Maumela, and Matlala.
ALSO READ:
