Madlanga Commission to File Criminal Charges Against Suliman Carrim Over Non Appearance

The Madlanga Commission will initiate criminal proceedings against Suliman Carrim, an ANC member and businessman, after he failed to appear before the commission on Friday, August 14. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga stated that the commission secretary will lay the charges, noting that allowing the non appearance to go unanswered would undermine the commission and encourage other witnesses to ignore summons. Under the Commissions Act, failure to attend without sufficient cause can result in a fine or imprisonment for up to six months.

The dispute centers on Carrim's health and his refusal to undergo an independent medical assessment. While Carrim's legal team argued that his treating doctor should testify instead of an independent specialist, Justice Madlanga ruled that the treating doctor was not an objective expert. This skepticism grew after reports emerged that Carrim had visited Woolworths and Kauai while claiming to be medically unable to testify. Carrim's advocate, Kameel Premhid, argued that these outings were explained in medical reports, but Justice Madlanga characterized them as outings regardless of the legal team's framing.

Carrim was summoned to provide evidence regarding his links to Vusimusi Matlala, who faces charges related to a R228 million police tender, and tender tycoon Hangwani Morgan Maumela. Although Carrim previously testified that he lent Matlala R10 million, he denied any involvement in corruption. Justice Madlanga declared that the decision to pursue criminal charges marks the end of the road for attempting to bring Carrim before the commission.