Carrim’s bail judgment postponed until next week

Controversial North West businessman, Suliman Carrim’s, will have to wait until next week for a ruling on his bail application, with the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court expected to deliver its judgment on 28 October 2026.

Both the State and the defence have concluded their arguments, leaving the court to decide whether Carrim should be released on bail or remain behind bars.

Carrim was arrested last week after repeatedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He is now seeking to convince the court that he can be trusted to return for his pending legal proceedings.

However, Prosecutor Donald Shiko argues that Carrim poses a flight risk, warning that if he travels to Pakistan, securing his return to South Africa could prove difficult.

Shiko says South Africa does not have a bilateral extradition treaty with Pakistan, unlike the United Arab Emirates (UAE), potentially complicating efforts to bring Carrim back.

The prosecution has also raised concerns about the ongoing conflict in the region Carrim was reportedly travelling to, arguing that possible travel disruptions could delay his return and further stall his criminal cases.

The State maintains that the offences Carrim faces strike at the heart of the criminal justice system. It argues that his repeated failure to comply with the Madlanga Commission’s instructions raises serious questions about his willingness to account for his actions.

With the Commission investigating alleged wrongdoing within the criminal justice system, Shiko argues that Carrim’s failure to appear undermines the very process established to uncover alleged misconduct.

“There is also the likelihood of the accused committing a schedule 1 offense. Every time he was required to adhere to the invitation as set out by the subpoena or him being warned on the attendance of the 16th of April and failure to honour such an invitation resulted in him being contemptuous and which any failure is a charge on its own,” Shiko said.

The State’s case against bail does not rest solely on the prospect of international travel.

Shiko has accused Carrim of being evasive under questioning, particularly when asked whether he would be able to attend court proceedings despite reportedly suffering from a heart-related condition.

The prosecution has also questioned Carrim’s explanation for his planned trip abroad. He was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport last week while preparing to travel to Dubai with his family.

According to the State, Carrim was carrying a large quantity of luggage allegedly containing sweets and snacks, which he said he intended to donate to charity abroad.

Prosecutors have questioned why he needed to transport the items from South Africa when they could have been purchased at his destination.

The State has further challenged Carrim’s health-related explanations, arguing that his ability to undertake lengthy international travel raises questions about his stated difficulty attending proceedings.

Shiko has portrayed Carrim as an accused whose version of events allegedly shifts to suit the circumstances, arguing that his assurances should not be taken at face value.

The prosecutor has warned that granting Carrim bail could mean he may never return to court.

The defence, meanwhile, maintains that Carrim has provided sufficient evidence if his ties to South Africa and his reasons to return.

His legal team argues that Carrim established his residential address and gave assurances that he would return to the country after his planned trip to Dubai.

Carrim has also maintained that he has no reason to evade arrest or ignore future court proceedings if released on bail.

Now represented by Senior Counsel, Dawie J. Joubert, Carrim’s defence argues that the evidence presented in support of his bail application has largely gone unchallenged.

Joubert says Carrim has a fixed residential address, has no history of dealing with the criminal justice system and is an honest businessman who supports his wife and children.

The defence has also argued that Carrim did not know which investigating officer he was expected to report to before planning his trip to Dubai. It has further reminded the court that he remains presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Rather than keeping him behind bars, Joubert has proposed that the court impose appropriate bail conditions to ensure Carrim attends his proceedings.

The arguments have now been heard, and the decision rests with the magistrate: whether Carrim’s assurances are enough to secure his release or whether the State’s concerns about a possible flight risk outweigh them.

Judgment in Carrim’s bail application is expected on 28 October.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao