The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has welcomed the arrest of North West businessman Suliman Carrim over his failure to appear before the commission as required.
Carrim, 49, was arrested by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team (CRTT) at OR Tambo International Airport last night, shortly before he was due to board an international flight.
According to commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels, the arrest followed repeated failures by Carrim to appear before the commission and provide information and documentation requested under the applicable regulations.
Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga announced during proceedings on 14 August 2026 that criminal charges would be laid against Carrim for failing to appear under subpoena.
“The Commission’s view is that Carrim’s conduct constituted one or more offences under the Commissions Act and the regulations applicable to the Commission,” Michaels said.
He added that Carrim had also repeatedly failed to provide information and documents required under Regulation 10(6).
Michaels said Carrim was identified as a person of interest in October 2025 and was subpoenaed the following month to appear before the commission, give evidence and provide specified information and documentation relevant to its terms of reference.
Instead, Carrim launched an urgent application in the Gauteng High Court seeking to prevent the commission from requiring him to submit a written statement or subpoenaing him to testify. His application was subsequently struck off the roll.
Carrim, a former ANC treasurer in North West, later appeared before the commission in March 2026. However, he failed to return in April, June and July, citing medical reasons.
On 29 July 2026, Justice Madlanga delivered a ruling postponing the continuation of Carrim’s testimony until 14 August and directing him to appear in person on that date, subject to the conditions outlined in the ruling.
However, Carrim failed to appear as directed on 14 August. The commission subsequently laid charges against him on 19 August 2026, citing his failure to attend and his repeated failure to provide the required information.
Michaels said the arrest should serve as a warning to witnesses who fail to comply with the commission’s requirements.
He expressed the view that Carrim’s arrest would send a strong message that the commission’s processes must be taken seriously.
