No way out: Suliman Carrim fails in court bid to halt Madlanga Commission subpoena, must testify on Friday
ANC-linked businessman Suliman Carrim has failed in his last-ditch attempt to stop the Madlanga Commission from issuing a subpoena to compel him to testify.
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ANC-linked businessman Suliman Carrim will have to honour a subpoena and appear before the Madlanga Commission on Friday after the High Court in Johannesburg struck his urgent court bid off the roll.
On Thursday, the court dismissed Carrim’s application for an interim interdict with costs, clearing the way for the commission to compel his testimony.
IOL previously reported that Carrim had approached the court in a last-ditch effort to prevent the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry from enforcing a subpoena requiring him to testify, arguing that the decision to classify him as an implicated person was unlawful and should be reviewed and set aside.
In his court papers, Carrim claimed he had been labelled an “implicated person” without being afforded the principle of natural justice, insisting the commission first clarify the allegations against him and disclose the evidence it intended to rely on.
The commission, chaired by Mbuyiseli Madlanga, opposed the application, arguing that Carrim’s request would undermine its work and delay its mandate.
Carrim’s legal challenge followed damaging testimony placing him at the centre of alleged influence-peddling and questionable financial transactions linked to police procurement.
Witness X testified that Carrim received R1.5 million from alleged underworld figure Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala shortly after Matlala’s company was awarded a contract by the South African Police Service.
Further questioning led by the evidence leader revealed WhatsApp messages in which Carrim appeared to assist with invoices and payments, boasting of his access to the then-Police Minister Senzo Mchunu. Additional testimony connected Carrim to over R3 million in litigation funding that was channelled through the foundation of political fixer Brown Mogotsi.
Mogotsi later exonerated Carrim but was subsequently accused by the commission of lying under oath. Carrim has denied any wrongdoing and is challenging the allegations in court, asserting that his constitutional rights are being violated by a process that has already painted him as guilty.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
IOL News