Madlanga Commission: NW businessman Carrim's testimony moved to 29 April
Suliman Carrim's testimony has been postponed to 29 April as he remained in hospital.
The Madlanga Commission made the ruling on Thursday morning, when Carrim had been scheduled to continue giving evidence.
He was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital earlier this week following a suspected heart attack.
Evidence leader Advocate Mahlape Sello confirmed that Carrim’s legal team had indicated he was still receiving medical care.
“Mr Chaskalson [evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC] advised that Mr Carrim is still in hospital.
"He has been in communication with Mr Carrim’s legal representatives, and as things stand, Mr Chaskalson would want to stand him down until the 29th of April this year, subject to availability.
"To the extent that he is unable to appear on that day, it is a matter that we will address with yourselves in an open session when the time comes,” she said.
Carrim, an African National Congress member in the North West, was expected to resume his testimony after first appearing before the commission last month.
He has been implicated in allegations that he received R2.5 million to help alleged crime figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala secure payments linked to a R360 million South African Police Service (SAPS) contract that was later cancelled.
But on Tuesday afternoon, commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels told the media that Carrim was unlikely to be available for his scheduled appearance due to his condition in hospital.
READ: Madlanga Commission: Carrim’s Thursday appearance unlikely after hospitalisation
Michaels added that the commission would not place Carrim under any undue pressure, given his medical condition.
“We are working on the basis that he will not appear on Thursday. Given that he was hospitalised [on Monday] 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.”
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.
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