Suliman Carrim hospitalised, Madlanga Commission confirms he might miss his testimony

North West businessman Suliman Carrim will not testify before the Madlanga Commission on Thursday after being hospitalised, the inquiry confirmed.

Carrim is understood to be receiving treatment at Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg after allegedly suffering a heart attack at a gym on Monday.

His legal team informed the Commission that he is not fit to appear.

Commission spokesperson, Jeremy Michaels, said officials are treating the situation with caution but have accepted that Carrim will not take the stand as scheduled.

“Carrim’s legal representatives have confirmed that he has been hospitalised. From the Commission’s perspective, we are sensitive to that,” Michaels said.

“But it is quite clear that he is not going to be able to appear on Thursday, and that is what we are working with at the moment.”

Michaels said the commission will require a medical certificate to formally confirm Carrim’s condition.

“But it’s evident that he cannot appear if he is in the hospital. The commission would not want to place him under unnecessary strain,” he said.

The commission is now considering its next steps, including whether to withdraw the subpoena compelling Carrim to testify.

Carrim’s evidence is seen as important to the inquiry. He was expected to address serious allegations linked to his role in a disputed police tender.

In March, Carrim lost a court bid to testify in private. He had argued that threats to his life and family justified closed proceedings, but the Commission ruled that his testimony should be heard in public.

He is accused of trying to influence police minister on special leave Senzo Mchunu to revive a cancelled R360 million SAPS tender linked to Medicare24, owned by Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, the alleged cartel leader.

The commission is waiting for formal medical confirmation before deciding how to proceed.

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