North West businessman Sulliman Carrim is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court in Limpopo on Thursday in connection with the alleged attempted theft of two vehicles belonging to ABSA and the use of fraudulent documents to move them across the border.
Carrim was added as an accused in two existing cases on Wednesday following investigations by the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Commissions Recommendations Task Team (CRTT).
He faces charges of attempted theft and money laundering, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Limpopo. Police have also linked the case to allegations of fraud and uttering, involving the purported use of fraudulent bank documents.
The allegations stem from an incident on July 22, when police officers stationed at the Beitbridge Border Post in Musina intercepted two vehicles allegedly being transported out of South Africa.
Two suspects were arrested after they were allegedly caught attempting to cross into Zimbabwe with the vehicles, which investigators say were destined for onward travel to Malawi.
The two suspects remain in custody and are expected to appear before the Musina Regional Court on October 27.
According to police, preliminary investigations suggest the vehicles were being transported from Mahikeng in North West towards the Beitbridge border post.
Investigators believe arrangements were initially made to obtain bank authorisation documents required to facilitate the lawful movement of the vehicles across the border.
However, the required authorisation was allegedly not provided, after which fraudulent bank documents were reportedly arranged.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of the documents and the planned movement of the vehicles out of the country.
Both vehicles were still under finance and have since been handed over to ABSA, SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said.
Carrim was formally charged and added to the two existing cases on Wednesday, October 21. His appearance on Thursday will be his first in the matter.
The case places the businessman at the centre of an investigation into allegations involving vehicles owned by a financial institution and documentation allegedly used to facilitate their cross-border movement.
The charges against Carrim remain allegations, and the case will have to proceed through the courts.
The NPA in Limpopo confirmed that Carrim is expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, facing charges of attempted theft and money laundering.
The prosecution is expected to outline the allegations against him as the case moves through the legal process.
The two other accused were arrested in July, when the vehicles were intercepted at the border. Their continued detention means the cases will proceed with the original suspects already in custody as Carrim joins the proceedings.
The investigation has focused on how the vehicles were allegedly transported from Mahikeng, the documentation presented to facilitate their movement and the circumstances under which the bank’s authorisation was allegedly bypassed.
Police have not indicated whether further arrests are expected.
The case is being handled by the CRTT, which has added Carrim to the proceedings following its investigations into the alleged offences.
Mathe confirmed that the businessman had been charged in connection with the two existing cases.
The court appearance is expected to mark the next stage in the prosecution’s efforts to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged attempted theft of the vehicles.
Carrim was arrested last week at OR Tambo International Airport while allegedly attempting to travel to Dubai. The State opposed his bsil saying he is a flight risk. He has since appeared in court twice in that separate matter and remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre. Judgment in his bail application is expected on October 28.
