Suliman Carrim Granted Bail In Madlanga Commission Case As Other Charges Loom

North West businessman Suliman Carrim has been granted bail by the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court after Magistrate Curlewis ruled on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, that the interests of justice permitted his release, subject to stringent conditions.

Carrim was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 15 October while preparing to board a flight to Saudi Arabia via the United Arab Emirates. His arrest followed a criminal complaint relating to his alleged failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on multiple occasions.

The charge concerns an alleged contravention of the Commissions Act. Carrim’s release on bail relates to this matter and does not resolve the separate criminal proceedings he faces in Limpopo.

Carrim’s Absences From The Madlanga Commission

Carrim last appeared before the commission on 9 and 10 March 2026, when he was questioned about his business dealings. He was scheduled to return on 15 April but allegedly suffered a heart attack two days before the planned appearance.

His subsequent absences on health grounds between April and July prompted concerns from the inquiry.

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Carrim was later ordered to appear in person on 14 August but did not return to give further testimony. A criminal complaint was subsequently lodged over his failure to attend.

The Pretoria court’s bail ruling allows him to be released subject to the conditions imposed. The full details of those conditions were not included in the information provided.

Separate Case Over Two Vehicles

Carrim is also facing charges in the Musina Magistrates’ Court relating to the alleged attempted theft of two vehicles, fraud and uttering.

The case stems from an incident on 22 July 2026, when police at the Beitbridge border post in Musina intercepted two vehicles allegedly being transported out of South Africa for onward delivery to Malawi via Zimbabwe.

According to the allegations, two employees linked to Carrim were arrested after the vehicles were intercepted. Investigators allege that the required bank authorisation for moving the vehicles across the border had not been obtained and that fraudulent bank documents were subsequently arranged.

Carrim was later added as an accused in the case on allegations that he had colluded with his employees in the attempted theft of the vehicles.

The National Prosecuting Authority has also described the matter as involving alleged money laundering. The allegations have yet to be determined by the court.

Carrim is expected to return to the Musina Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 30 October, where his bail application in the vehicle case is due to be considered. The outcome of his Pretoria bail application does not automatically determine whether he will be released in the separate matter.

Police Probe Municipality-Related Allegations

Carrim could also face further legal consequences arising from allegations of fraud and corruption involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe has previously said the investigation was being handled by a cold case unit and was at an advanced stage. The investigation has reportedly been under way since 2025.

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In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate alleged maladministration, corruption and irregular expenditure at North West Transport Investments (NTI).

One of the contracts under scrutiny is reportedly worth R168 million and was awarded to a joint venture involving Carrim’s company, Ziggy Investments, and Tansnat Coachlines.

The SIU investigation and the police inquiry are separate from the criminal cases currently before the courts. The allegations do not, in themselves, establish criminal liability.

Carrim’s bail ruling therefore marks a development in the proceedings linked to the Madlanga Commission, while the separate vehicle case and the wider investigations remain ongoing.