Former ANC North West treasurer Suliman Carrim appears in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court after his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport. Image credit Silindelo Sabata X
Former ANC North West treasurer and businessman Suliman Carrim has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court, a day after police arrested him at OR Tambo International Airport. During the Suliman Carrim court appearance on Friday, the State asked for a postponement before the court hears his bail application.
Carrim faces a charge of contravening the Commissions Act. The charge relates to his repeated failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. The State opposes his release on bail.
According to IOL, prosecutors told the court that Carrim held a one way ticket with no return booking. However, his lawyers disputed this claim. Police have also given a different account. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said Carrim was travelling with his family when officers arrested him. She added that he had a return ticket booked for 28 October 2026.
Reports also differ on where he was going. Some say he was flying to the United Arab Emirates, while others say he was heading to Saudi Arabia via Dubai. Meanwhile, his defence team told the court that Carrim has a clean criminal record, and they are pushing for bail.
How the Suliman Carrim court case began
Carrim’s troubles with the commission go back almost a year. In October 2025, the commission identified him as a person of interest. The following month, it issued a subpoena ordering him to testify and hand over documents.
Carrim appeared before the commission in March this year. During that appearance, he testified about his business dealings with Vusimuzi Cat Matlala. Matlala’s company, Medicare24, won a disputed R360 million police health tender. According to crime activist Yusuf Abramjee, Carrim told the commission that he lent Matlala about R10 million.
However, Carrim then failed to return. He missed hearings scheduled for April, June and July, each time citing medical reasons. Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga then ordered him to appear in person on 14 August. He did not show up, and he also failed to provide documents the commission had requested. As a result, the commission laid criminal charges against him on 19 August.
On Thursday night, the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team arrested Carrim at OR Tambo, moments before he boarded his flight. The commission welcomed the arrest. It said the arrest sends a strong message to witnesses who do not take the inquiry seriously.
Carrim could also face more charges. According to Mathe, the police Cold Case Unit had flagged him over alleged fraud and corruption involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West. In addition, President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit to probe transport tenders that the North West government awarded to companies linked to Carrim, including a R168 million contract.
Importantly, these remain allegations. No court has found Carrim guilty of any wrongdoing.
The Madlanga Commission is investigating alleged criminal networks inside law enforcement and possible interference in the criminal justice system. President Ramaphosa set it up in 2025, after KwaZulu Natal police boss Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused senior figures of meddling in police investigations.
Meanwhile, commentary across social media platforms has followed the case closely. Many users want the court to keep Carrim in custody, saying he tried to leave the country. Others point out that he was travelling with his family and had a return ticket, and say he deserves a fair bail hearing like any other accused.
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