A former North West ANC regional treasurer and businessman has reportedly been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport after failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.

Although sources have identified the 49-year-old man arrested by the Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) on Thursday evening, African Times cannot reveal his identity until he appears in court. The man was reportedly apprehended moments before he was due to board an international flight.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the arrest on Friday but did not identify the suspect.

The suspect is expected to appear before the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 16 October.

The arrest follows the commission’s decision in August to initiate criminal proceedings against him after repeated failures to appear before the inquiry.

Chaired by retired Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, the commission is investigating allegations of corruption, political interference and criminal infiltration within South Africa’s criminal justice system.

Commission ordered criminal charges

The suspect’s failure to appear before the commission became a point of contention after his legal representatives repeatedly cited medical reasons for his absence.

On 29 July, Madlanga ruled that the suspect had to appear in person on 14 August unless he underwent an independent medical assessment confirming that he was unfit to testify.

When the suspect failed to appear, the commission decided to initiate criminal proceedings against him.

The commission subsequently confirmed on 31 August that charges had been laid and the matter handed to the CRTT for further action.

The chairperson said the commission could not allow witnesses to decide arbitrarily whether they would comply with its processes.

The inquiry also ruled that it would rely on the suspect’s previous testimony rather than continue pursuing his appearance.

The suspect had previously testified before the commission in March, when evidence leaders questioned his financial dealings with businessman Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala and other individuals.

Evidence presented to the commission included financial transactions involving the suspect’s linked businesses and Matlala’s company, Medicare24, which secured a multimillion-rand South African Police Service health services contract.

The suspect has previously disputed allegations of wrongdoing and offered explanations for transactions raised during his testimony.

The allegations have not, by themselves, established criminal guilt.

Airport arrest raises questions

The reported arrest at OR Tambo marks a new development in the criminal proceedings arising from the suspect’s failure to appear before the inquiry.

Police have not publicly disclosed the circumstances surrounding the arrest, confirmed whether the suspect was attempting to leave the country permanently or temporarily, or detailed the charges he is expected to face in court.

It also remains unclear whether the arrest relates exclusively to the charges arising from his failure to appear before the commission or whether additional matters are being investigated.

The CRTT was established to follow up on recommendations and matters arising from the inquiry.

The suspect’s expected court appearance is likely to provide further clarity on the charges and the next steps in the case.

The police statement did not provide further details about the suspect’s identity or the circumstances of the arrest.