Businessman Suliman Carrim could face criminal prosecution if he refuses to undergo an independent medical examination, as the Madlanga Commission seeks to determine whether his continued absence from proceedings is justified.
The Commission was hearing an application to postpone Carrim’s testimony to 15 July 2026 after he failed to appear on Thursday, citing medical reasons.
Commission evidence leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson argued that an independent specialist should assess Carrim’s condition to establish whether he is medically fit to continue giving evidence.
Chaskalson warned that should Carrim refuse to submit to the assessment, the Commission’s legal team would request that he be prosecuted under Sections 5 and 6 of the Commissions Act, as well as Regulation 1224, for allegedly obstructing or hindering the work of the inquiry.
He further submitted that if Carrim remains unable to testify by the proposed July date, the Commission should proceed with its findings based on the evidence already before it, without hearing any additional testimony from him.
“If Mr Carrim does not agree to be examined by an independent specialist, we will ask the Commission to recommend that he be prosecuted for hindering its proceedings. We will also request that the Commission make its findings based on the evidence heard thus far, without any further evidence from Mr Carrim,” Chaskalson told the hearing.
The Commission is expected to rule on the postponement request and determine the next steps regarding Carrim’s participation in the inquiry.