- North West businessman Suliman Carrim told a Pretoria magistrate he was experiencing severe physical symptoms while standing in the dock
- Carrim attributed his distress to missing his chronic psychiatric medication before his Friday court appearance
- The state requested a postponement to verify his details as Carrim defended his absence from the Madlanga Commission on health grounds
Source: Twitter
PRETORIA — North West businessman Suliman Carrim raised a medical emergency from the dock at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court on Friday, 16 October 2026, telling the bench he was in severe physical distress after missing his chronic psychiatric medication ahead of the hearing.
Carrim appeared in court following his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport. According to eNCA, he told the magistrate he was experiencing a dry mouth, dizziness, and intense physical discomfort, which he attributed directly to not having taken his medication before the court sitting.
Carrim links health to Commission absence
While addressing the magistrate, Carrim said he had informed his legal counsel of his deteriorating condition while standing in the dock. He further argued that his ongoing medical situation was the sole reason he had not appeared before the Madlanga Commission, stating that his health, not a desire to evade the process, kept him away from the inquiry.
Carrim told the court that psychiatric reports documenting his condition had already been submitted to the commission. He placed on record that his warning statement included explicit reference to his intention to complete medical treatment before returning to testify.
State requests postponement
The state did not immediately accept Carrim's account and requested a postponement to verify the details he provided. Carrim, for his part, maintained throughout proceedings that his absence from the commission was strictly medical in nature and not wilful. He will spend the rest of the weekend behind bars after his case was postponed.
Madlanga Commission welcomes Carrim's arrest
In a related article, Briefly News reported on the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry’s response to Carrim’s arrest at OR Tambo International Airport.
Carrim was arrested while attempting to board an international flight after repeatedly missing Commission appearances. His absences led the Commission to file criminal charges and hope the arrest would warn other witnesses to comply.
Source: Briefly News
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