Kamogelo Moichela|Published
The Madlanga Commission has welcomed the arrest of Suliman Carrim at OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday night, saying this will send a strong message to any witness who does not take the commission seriously.
“The commission trusts that Carrim's arrest will send a strong message to any witness who does not take the Commission seriously,” the commission said.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that Carrim had been arrested on charges of corruption and fraud.
The arrest follows the commission’s decision to pursue criminal charges against him over his failure to appear when directed to testify and his alleged failure to provide requested information and documents.
In a statement, the commission said its chairperson, retired Deputy Chief Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, announced on August 14, 2026, that criminal charges would be laid against Carrim.
“It is the Commission’s view that Mr Carrim’s conduct constituted one or more offences under the Commission's Act (8 of 1947) and the regulations applicable to the Commission,” the commission said.
It added that Carrim had repeatedly failed to provide information and documentation required under Regulation 10(6).
Carrim was identified as a person of interest in October 2025 and subpoenaed the following month to testify and submit specified material relevant to the commission’s terms of reference.
On February 5, 2026, he approached the Gauteng High Court in an urgent bid to prevent the commission from requiring a written statement or issuing subpoenas while his review application challenging the Regulation 10(6) notices remained unresolved. The interdict application was struck off the roll with costs.
Carrim subsequently appeared before the commission on March 9 and 10. However, he did not return to the witness stand on dates scheduled in April, June and July, citing medical reasons.
On July 29, Madlanga ruled that Carrim’s evidence would resume on August 14, directing him to appear in person, subject to conditions set out in the ruling.
His failure to appear on that date, coupled with the outstanding information requests, prompted the commission to lay criminal charges on August 19.
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