The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry has granted an application by North West businessman Suliman Carrim to postpone his testimony, despite objections from the commission's evidence leader.
Carrim is now expected to appear before the commission on 14 August, provided he undergoes an independent medical examination. The commission ruled that he will only be excused from testifying if the assessment confirms that he is medically unfit to appear.
Carrim suffered a heart attack in April and has reportedly been declared medically unfit to testify. He has been implicated in the South African Police Service's Medicare24 tender matter and is under investigation for alleged multi-million-rand financial transactions.
Evidence leader Advocate Adila Hassim opposed the postponement application, arguing that new evidence raised questions about Carrim's claimed medical condition.
Hassim presented CCTV footage and cellphone geolocation data, which she said showed Carrim frequently leaving the medical facility where he was receiving treatment for extended periods.
According to Hassim, the evidence contradicted affidavits submitted by Carrim's wife and treating doctor, which stated that his movements were limited and closely supervised.
She told the commission that the geolocation data indicated Carrim left the facility almost every day and, on most occasions, spent at least eight hours away, with some absences lasting even longer.
Hassim argued that the new evidence painted a materially different picture from that presented in the affidavits and suggested Carrim spent more time outside the medical facility than inside, calling into question the basis of his application for a postponement.