Madlanga Commission | Carrim criticised for suggesting Commission endangers lives

The Madlanga Commission has rebuked controversial North West businessman, Suleiman Carrim, for suggesting that the commission endangers lives.

Carrim’s legal representative, Advocate Kemeel Prehmid, had challenged his client’s in-person appearance before the commission, citing concerns for his safety.

He said Carrim has faced threats since his name surfaced in allegations before the commission.

Commission chair, Mbuyiseli Madlanga, acknowledged that while commissioners are thick-skinned against criticism, “unbecoming behavior must still be addressed.”

Carrim has been linked to alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala, who is reportedly associated with the so-called “Big Five cartel” and is accused of sharing sensitive police information and reportedly recieving kickbacks.

Advocate Premhid argued that requiring Carrim to testify in person could compromise his safety, undermining the protections he should be afforded.

“Now the fact that we are having this debate about whether he should then still give the evidence in-camera or not, now reveals to the public at large watching in that he is being the subject of those death threats and that he might be made to give evidence but it just will happen on a day, time, or format that the public at large might not know about. But the consequence of that doesn’t detract from the fact that my client, based off what he says in the affidavit is that he is being surveilled and the fact now that this has already happened on live television with all due respect, does undermine the very purpose of the in-camera application which is to protect that disclosure so that when he come back to the commission to give his evidence in chief,” Prehmid said.

The commission says it would rather offer Carrim protection services in lieu of granting him an in-camera testimony as per his application.

In his affidavit, Carrim argued that unlike the commission, which has state-funded security, he had to personally fund protection for himself and his family.

Commission evidence leader, Advocate Adila Hassim, dismissed this claim, noting that protection services had previously been offered to Carrim, which he declined.

Commissioner Khumalo described Carrim’s application as redundant, noting it is already public knowledge that he will appear before the commission.

Prehmid countered, emphasizing the factual existence of threats and the need for the commission to consider them carefully.

“With all due respect, I think that’s a difficult position for my client to be in because in circumstances where he says to the commission I am coming to you to prevent the possible threat from materialising, the threats are there, and the commission’s response then is to say well everybody knows as it is come and give evidence and see what happens. That actually boils down to an equity and value judgment,” Prehmid argued.

Chairperson Madlanga ultimately refused to grant the in-camera request:

Written by: Odirile Rabalao