Suliman Carrim given 48 hours to arrange his appearance with Madlanga Commission

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court has pushed North West businessman Suliman Carrim back to the Madlanga Commission, ordering him to arrange his next appear.

Image: Oupa Mokoena/Independent Newspapers

Controversial North West businessman Suliman Carrim has been given 48 hours to contact the Madlanga Commission and arrange his next appearance, after repeatedly failing to appear before the inquiry.

The Pretoria Magistrate’s Court granted him R100,000 bail on Wednesday in his contempt-of-court case, with strict conditions.

The directive, issued on Wednesday, forms part of 12 stringent bail conditions imposed on Carrim, who was arrested earlier this month at OR Tambo International Airport following repeated failures to honour subpoenas requiring him to testify before the commission.

The court found no evidence that Carrim would disregard his bail conditions if released.

However, his freedom remains restricted, and he is still in custody over separate car theft charges.

His next legal hurdle comes on Friday, when he is expected to pursue a separate bail application in the Musina Magistrate’s Court in connection with alleged vehicle smuggling.

The court has also placed restrictions on Carrim’s travel documents.

His passport must remain with the investigating officer until his trial is completed and his testimony before the commission is finalised.

He is further prohibited from applying for a replacement passport or any other travel documents without the court's written permission.

The bail order comes amid uncertainty over whether Carrim will still be required to testify before the inquiry.

In August, commission chairperson, retired deputy Justice Mbuyiseni Madlanga indicated that the commission would no longer pursue him to appear, opting instead to consider and file his previous testimony from March.

Carrim is due to return to the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on December 8 for the disclosure of the docket in his case involving the alleged failure to appear before the commission.