Madlanga rejects Carrim’s bid for in-camera arguments despite alleged threats
The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has rejected a request by ANC-linked North West businessman Suliman Carrim's legal team to argue the merits of his application to testify in camera behind closed doors.
This is despite warnings from his legal team that he has received death threats connected to his testimony.
Carrim, who is set to appear before the commission on Monday and Tuesday, is implicated in allegations that he received R2.5 million to assist alleged crime kingpin Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala in securing payments linked to a R360 million South African Police Service contract, which was later cancelled.
His legal counsel, Advocate Kameel Premhid told the commission on Friday that Carrim’s appearance in open proceedings could endanger his life.
"One of the arguments made in the in-camera application is that my client started receiving death threats even before he gave his actual evidence at the Commission,” Premhid said.
“The fact that this has already happened on live television undermines the very purpose of testifying in camera, which was to protect his disclosure when he comes back to give his evidence in chief.”
Carrim had initially sought relief from the High Court to avoid testifying, claiming that as an “implicated person” he was entitled to the principle of natural justice, that application was refused, forcing him to appear before the commission.
Premhid emphasised that the request for in-camera testimony was not an attempt to obstruct the commission, but a measure to ensure Carrim’s safety.
"Where witnesses are dying after coming to the Commission and giving evidence, it is surely not unreasonable that my client uses procedural remedies available to him to protect himself,” he said.
The commission noted the serious nature of Carrim’s claims but raised concerns over procedural fairness.
Lawyers highlighted that restricting access to Carrim’s evidence could interfere with the rights of other witnesses and the work of the commission’s investigators.
"You cannot have a situation where all papers exchanged in relation to your client’s evidence are not disclosed. The commission’s investigators must have access because their job is to investigate everything that is presented,” the commission noted during the hearing,"
Despite the concerns over safety, the commission ruled that Carrim must testify publicly, underscoring the importance of transparency and accountability.
Legal experts say this decision balances the public’s right to know with the safety measures already in place.
Carrim’s testimony is expected to focus on the alleged facilitation of payments linked to Matlala and the broader investigation into corruption within the police service and related political networks.
The commission has indicated that security arrangements will be heightened during his appearance to mitigate potential threats.
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