Carrim Testimony Delayed As Lawyers Accuse Madlanga Commission Of ‘Ambush’ Tactics

The legal team representing controversial businessman Suleiman Carrim has accused the Madlanga Commission’s evidence leaders of attempting to “ambush” their client ahead of his scheduled testimony.

Carrim was expected to appear before the commission on Friday, but his appearance has now been postponed to March after his lawyers argued that he had not been given sufficient time to prepare.

He has been implicated by several witnesses at the Madlanga Commission, which is probing allegations that Carrim used political connections to help suspected crime boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala secure a R360 million tender with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Madlanga Commission allegations and tender controversy

According to testimony heard by the commission, Carrim allegedly benefited financially from the SAPS tender awarded to Matlala, with claims that he received kickbacks linked to the deal.

Carrim’s legal representative, Kameel Prehmid, told the commission that key documents were only provided less than a day before his client was due to take the stand, leaving him unable to prepare adequately.

“The attitude of the attorneys has always been that our client has to come and testify in front of this commission, but he cannot be ambushed and until such time that the commission complies with its own rules to properly define the scope of inquiry he would then be prejudiced as a result,” Prehmid said.

Evidence leaders respond to postponement request

While the commission’s senior evidence leader, Mathew Chaskalson, did not oppose the postponement, he criticised what he described as an obstructionist approach from Carrim’s legal team.

“To suggest that if we had merely what we did last night and produce this bundle at an earlier stage, the problem would’ve gone away is with respect, wholly incorrect,” Chaskalson said.

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He added that, in his view, a separate legal stance had been adopted by Carrim’s lawyers. “There was a separate, and frankly preposterous legal position being taken that you can’t order us to issue a statement and to testify, choose what you want.”

The embattled businessman is now expected to appear before the Madlanga Commission when proceedings resume in March.