Lawyers representing North West businessman Sulliman Carrim say they intend to apply for a postponement of his scheduled appearance before the Madlanga Commission on Friday morning.
Carrim had approached the High Court in an attempt to block a subpoena compelling him to testify before the commission. However, his application was struck off the roll, clearing the way for proceedings to continue.
The commission is set to resume hearings at 9:30am.
Carrim, a senior African National Congress (ANC) regional leader and treasurer in the Ngaka Modiri Molema region, has come under scrutiny after his name emerged during testimony at the commission. The inquiry is investigating allegations of criminality, political interference and corruption within South Africa’s criminal justice system.
The ANC in the North West has confirmed that Carrim remains a member in good standing but says it will not comment on the allegations until the commission concludes its work.
Reactions from the local business community have been mixed. Businessman Godfrey Mooketsi accused Carrim of monopolising major tenders in the province.
“He is a greedy businessman. Many in the province know he is the only one who gets big tenders and doesn’t share with others. He eats alone,” said Mooketsi.
In contrast, Itumeleng Babeile of the Gatvol Lobby Group described Carrim as approachable and cooperative.
“We had heard negative things before engaging with him, but after meeting him, we found him not difficult to work with,” Babeile said.
Attempts to obtain comment from Carrim, his company Fusion Tactical, and the attorneys who represented him in the High Court matter were unsuccessful. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.