Carrim out on R100k bail as his legal battles mount

The Pretoria Magistrate’s court has granted controversial North West businessman, Suliman Carrim, R100 000 bail in his case linked to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, but he remains in custody over a separate criminal matter in Musina.

Carrim was arrested earlier this month at OR Tambo International Airport, where he was due to board a flight to Dubai with his family. He had spent at least two weeks in custody before the court granted him bail on Wednesday.

His arrest followed repeated failures to comply with a subpoena to testify before the Madlanga Commission.

With 12 bail conditions to meet and his appearance before the commission still pending, Carrim’s legal troubles are far from over.

The Pretoria case centres on alleged contraventions of Section 6(1) of the Commissions Act 8 of 1947, which makes it an offence to fail to comply with a commission summons without sufficient cause or to refuse to be sworn in or answer questions.

However the court found insufficient grounds to deny Carrim bail, with no evidence establishing that he posed a danger to the community.

“The state evidence does not show that Carrim would evade trial,” acting Pretoria Magistrate, Marc Curlewis said.

However, the bail proceedings were not without contention.

Prosecutor, Donald Schiko, sought to introduce additional evidence, pointing to Carrim’s new charges in Musina and properties allegedly linked to his wife that had not previously been disclosed.

The State argued that Carrim posed a flight risk and that his release would not be in the interests of justice.

His lawyer, Advocate Jean-Pierre Venter – Carrim’s third legal representative in the matter – objected, arguing that the day had been set aside for the bail judgment rather than further arguments.

Magistrate Curlewis maintained that neither the prosecution nor the defence would sway his assessment.

He ultimately granted Carrim R100,000 bail, which his legal team said he could pay immediately.

Under the 12 bail conditions, Carrim must remain in his hometown of Mahikeng unless the investigating officer authorises him to travel.

He is also prohibited from applying for additional travel documents or leaving South Africa without the investigating officer’s knowledge.

Carrim has also been given 48 hours to notify the Madlanga Commission of his intention to testify on allegations levelled against him.

The Magistrate warned that Carrim could be arrested if he fails to appear when his Pretoria case returns to court on 8 December for the disclosure of State documents to the defence.

Advocate Jean-Pierre Venter says they are preparing to engage with the Madlanga Commission to arrange his testimony.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the bail ruling does not weaken its case, stressing that being released on bail does not amount to a declaration of innocence but is intended to ensure an accused person returns to court.

Gauteng NPA spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said the authority welcomed the outcome and was confident Carrim would comply with all 12 bail conditions.

Meanwhile, Carrim is expected back in the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 30 October, where he faces a separate case involving allegations of vehicle theft, fraud, uttering and money laundering.

He is accused of working with two employees to smuggle Absa vehicles into Zimbabwe and Malawi using fraudulent documents.

Carrim is expected to seek bail in that matter as well.

For now, Carrim has secured bail in Pretoria, but with another bail application looming and the Madlanga Commission still awaiting his testimony, his legal battles are far from over.