Suliman Carrim to Spend Another Week in Custody as Bail Ruling Is Postponed
North West businessman and former ANC regional treasurer Suliman Carrim will remain in custody for another week after the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court postponed its bail ruling to Wednesday, 28 October 2026.
Carrim, 49, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on the evening of 15 October by the Madlanga Commission’s Recommendations Task Team as he was preparing to board a flight to Dubai.
He faces a charge of contravening the Commissions Act after allegedly repeatedly failing to return to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry following his initial testimony in March, despite subpoenas and directives requiring him to appear.
Carrim has described his planned trip as one for “spiritual upliftment”, saying it involved travel to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. He also presented a return ticket. However, the State has opposed his release on bail, arguing that he poses a flight risk.
The prosecution cited his previous failures to appear before the commission, the circumstances surrounding his arrest at the airport, the multiple bags of luggage he was carrying, and alleged inconsistencies in his statements about his health and travel plans.
On Monday, 19 October, Magistrate John Curlewis postponed the matter to allow time for transcripts of the proceedings to be prepared before delivering his ruling on bail.
Carrim, who spent the weekend at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Centre following an earlier postponement on Friday, will remain behind bars pending the ruling.
His defence has argued that he should be granted bail, citing his lack of previous convictions, established business interests and strong ties to South Africa. His legal team has also proposed conditions for his release.
Carrim’s arrest has drawn renewed attention to his previous testimony before the Madlanga Commission, where financial dealings involving several figures, including Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, have been raised.
He has also been linked to separate ongoing fraud and corruption investigations involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.
The Madlanga Commission has previously welcomed Carrim’s arrest, saying it sends a message that witnesses will be held accountable for failing to cooperate with the inquiry.
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