North West businessman Suliman Carrim will spend the weekend behind bars after the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court postponed his bail application to Monday, October 19, to allow the state to verify documents submitted by his defence, including a return ticket for his planned trip to the United Arab Emirates.

Carrim, 49, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) over his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where he was expected to answer further questions about his business dealings.

The state is opposing his release on bail, arguing that he could be a flight risk, while his defence has disputed the allegation and questioned the delay in verifying his travel arrangements.

SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe earlier in the day confirmed that Carrim was facing contempt of court-related charges linked to his failure to appear before the commission.

Mathe also said there was no indication at this stage that Carrim was fleeing the country.

However, during Friday’s bail proceedings, the state argued that Carrim had initially been found with a one-way ticket to Dubai when he was arrested on Thursday night.

The prosecution said it wanted to verify the documents presented by Carrim’s legal team, including the alleged return ticket, before proceeding with the bail application.

The defence criticised the request, questioning why police had not contacted a travel agent on Thursday night to establish whether a return booking existed.

Carrim’s legal representatives argued that the state’s request was delaying the proceedings, while maintaining that their client intended to return to South Africa.

The embedded businessman told the court that his planned trip was for spiritual purposes and that he had undertaken the journey annually for a number of years.

He said he had been preparing for the trip for some time and that his luggage included snacks for children. The Investigating Officer, under oath, told the court that he was carrying five bags.

In his warning statement, Carrim said his doctor had encouraged him to travel, provided his wife monitored his condition, and he continued taking his medication.

He said the trip would provide spiritual upliftment and that he believed he could travel while continuing with his treatment.

The state questioned this explanation, asking how Carrim could maintain that he was too ill to attend proceedings before the Madlanga Commission while being advised to travel internationally.

The prosecution also questioned the apparent contradiction between his claimed health difficulties and his ability to undertake the trip.

Carrim maintained that he was still unwell and had been trying to recover before returning to the commission.

“I was, I said I was trying to get better, like I said to you I’m not in a position, I’m not well,” he told the court.

During the proceedings, Carrim asked to sit down, telling the court that he was feeling unwell and sometimes experienced panic attacks and blackouts.

His legal representative said the businessman suffered from anxiety and heart conditions, arguing that the stress of the proceedings could trigger a panic attack.

The defence further argued that Carrim’s heart condition had previously resulted in hospitalisation and contributed to postponements of his appearances before the commission.

Carrim told the court that his doctor had advised against him being cross-examined, but he had agreed to proceed with the bail proceedings.

He also maintained that he knew nothing about separate fraud and negligent driving charges against him, which he said had been withdrawn.

The charges being addressed in the current proceedings relate to his failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission.

Carrim told the court that he would address his failure to appear before the inquiry when he stood trial for that offence.

“I’m not a criminal,” he said.

The state requested more time to verify the documents submitted by the defence and Carrim’s residential address. The magistrate granted the request and postponed the matter to Monday.

The defence also raised concerns about the conditions under which Carrim would be detained over the weekend.

The state told the court that arrangements had been made for him to be accommodated in a single cell and that a facility had been organised for his legal representatives to consult with him if necessary.

Carrim will remain in custody until his bail application resumes on Monday.

Commission Testimony Under Scrutiny

Carrim’s arrest follows weeks of controversy over his failure to return to the Madlanga Commission after giving evidence in March.

The businessman previously testified about his financial dealings with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, whose company, Medicare24, was awarded a controversial R360-million SAPS healthcare services tender.

During his testimony, Carrim told the commission that he had lent Matlala approximately R10 million. His financial transactions and business relationships subsequently came under scrutiny during questioning.

The commission raised concerns about Carrim’s repeated absence, which his legal representatives attributed to health problems.

Evidence leaders also questioned his failure to undergo an independent medical assessment requested by the inquiry.

The commission had previously heard evidence suggesting that Carrim was moving around Cape Town during a period when he had reportedly been admitted to a medical facility. His legal representatives maintained that his health concerns were genuine.

The commission subsequently moved to initiate criminal proceedings over his failure to comply with its directives.

Beyond his non-appearance, Carrim’s business interests have attracted scrutiny over payments received by companies linked to him from municipalities in North West, including the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

Investigations into alleged fraud and corruption involving municipal contracts and other business dealings have also been reported. These allegations remain subject to investigation and must be distinguished from the immediate matter before the court.

For now, the central issue in the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court is whether Carrim should be released on bail while the case concerning his failure to appear before the commission proceeds.

The state wants to establish whether his travel arrangements and other documents support his version of events, while the defence maintains that the businessman intended to return to South Africa.

The bail application is expected to resume on Monday, October 19.