Madlanga Commission | Carrim allegedly spotted in Cape Town while reportedly receiving hospital treatment

Madlanga Commission evidence leader, Advocate Matthew Chaskalson, says controversial North West businessman, Suliman Carrim, was allegedly seen having lunch with friends in Cape Town.

The claim comes despite Carrim’s legal team informing the commission that he is unwell and receiving medical treatment in hospital.

Advocate Chaskalson told the commission that Carrim’s legal team submitted another medical certificate on Tuesday, indicating that he would be unable to appear for his scheduled testimony today.

Chaskalson raised concern over the development, saying the commission is still awaiting the financial records of Carrim’s three companies, despite having instructed him to submit three months ago.

He further told the commission that a whistleblower allegedly saw Carrim shopping with an acquaintance in the Western Cape on Tuesday.

Chaskalson said another eyewitness had also claimed to have seen Carrim attending social gatherings in the North West in recent weeks, while the commission believed he was recovering in hospital.

The commission has subpoenaed the Western Cape shopping centre where Carrim was allegedly seen, seeking CCTV footage to verify the claims. Chaskalson said the footage is expected to be available by Thursday.

Meanwhile, the testimony of alleged underworld figure, Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala, before the Madlanga Commission has been postponed to 1 September.

Matlala appeared before the commission on Wednesday in compliance with a subpoena requiring him to testify about, among other matters, his alleged links to senior law enforcement officials, including suspended EMPD Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi, suspended National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya, and Controversial Medicare24, CEO Mike van Wyk.

Following discussions between the commission and Matlala’s legal team, the parties agreed that Matlala will file his witness statement by 29 July.

The agreement also provides for his testimony to resume on 1 September.

Commission Chair, Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, granted the postponement and ordered Matlala to return on that date.

“I make the following ruling that Mr. Matlala must file his witness statement not later than 29 July 2026. That’s 1. 2, the hearing of his testimony is postponed to 1 September 2026,” said Madlanga.

The commission indicated that Matlala’s testimony could span several days once proceedings resume.

Matlala’s legal team argued that he should first focus on defending his pending criminal cases before being required to testify before the commission.

His attorney, Advocate Anneline van den Heever, submitted that her client is being portrayed as a criminal mastermind, describing that characterisation as “a complete fallacy.”

However, Justice Madlanga maintained that Matlala would not be questioned about matters that are currently before the courts.

Van den Heever further argued that, as an officer of the court, she has a duty to protect her client’s constitutional right to remain silent and his right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Justice Sesi Baloyi questioned the basis of the postponement application, saying the defence had failed to justify why Matlala’s pending IDAC-related criminal case was relevant to the commission’s proceedings.

Meanwhile, Van den Heever apologised for raising her voice during exchanges with the commissioners earlier in the proceedings.

“I got a random message on my phone from somebody telling me that I’m not allowed to shout at you chairperson and the other commissioners. I just want to make it plain that I don’t shout and that I just talk very loudly and many people on know that. I am sure you did not perceived it as shouting. I just speak very loudly, it was not shouting. I apologise chairperson,” she said.

Written by: Odirile Rabalao