ANC member and North West businessman, Sulieman Carrim, has appeared at the Madlanga Commission on Monday.
Image: Kamogelo Moichela / IOL News
The Madlanga Commission has denied the ANC member Sulieman Carrim’s request to testify behind closed doors after claiming he received death threats ahead of his appearance.
Commission chair Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga said the reasons would be provided during tea break.
This means Carrim will have to testify before the commission.
His legal representative, Adv. Kameel Premhid, said his client was in a hall at the commission, waiting for a call to come down and testify.
Last week, Carrim approached the commission requesting a private hearing, arguing that threats to his life justify special protection while he gives evidence.
However, Madlanga has already rejected Carrim’s request for an immediate closed session, ruling that the merits of the application must first be argued in an open hearing.
The commission is expected to provide brief written reasons for its decision on Monday.
Carrim is due to testify about allegations linking him to controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala and a R360 million tender awarded by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Previous witnesses told the commission that Carrim used his political connections within the ANC to help Matlala secure the contract.
Testimony before the inquiry also alleged that Carrim received kickbacks linked to the deal.Those claims are expected to be tested when Carrim takes the stand.
But the commission’s evidence leader, advocate Adila Hassim, has opposed the request for a private hearing, arguing that secrecy would not significantly improve Carrim’s safety.
Hassim told the commission that Carrim’s role in the matter is already widely known, meaning confidentiality would have little practical effect.
“Secrecy can actually amplify a witness’s vulnerability by signalling the witness is exceptional or hidden,” Hassim said.“It may fuel speculation and targeting rather than quell threats.”
She also noted that although the commission has allowed eight witnesses to testify partly in camera, those witnesses were not public figures.
Carrim, she said, is a well-known political figure and the contents of his statement have already been largely discussed in public proceedings.
Some details also surfaced during Carrim’s unsuccessful legal challenge against his subpoena in the Johannesburg High Court last month.
Carrim is expected to testify before the commission on Monday and Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the commission has confirmed that the suspended Crime Intel head, Maj-Gen. Richard Shibiri, will return to hot seat to testify.
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