ESCAPE OR EVASION? "SICK" BUSINESSMAN SULIMAN CARRIM'S POSTPONEMENT BID DELAYED AMID MALL-SPOTTING SCANDAL

In a dramatic twist at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, the application by controversial North West businessman Suliman Carrim to postpone his testimony has been rolled over to next Friday, 24 July 2026. 

Carrim once again failed to appear before the commission in Pretoria this week, submitting that he was medically unfit to stand and testify. However, the commission's evidence leaders have aggressively challenged this excuse.

Key Revelations from the Commission:

• Spotted Out Shopping: Chief Evidence Leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson dropped a bombshell, revealing that the commission received multiple whistleblower reports placing the "critically ill" Carrim at a Cape Town shopping mall. He was reportedly seen shopping at a Woolworths and casually enjoying a late lunch at a restaurant.

• Subpoenas Issued: To verify whether Carrim is genuinely too sick to testify or simply dodging the inquiry, the commission has subpoenaed his treating doctor, medical and hospital records, and CCTV footage from the Western Cape shopping centre. 

• Demands for Secrecy: In another turn of events, Carrim's legal team has requested that next week’s postponement application be heard in camera (behind closed doors). Carrim claims that publicizing details about his medical state, family movements, and alleged safety threats risks exposing his family to serious harm. The commission will rule on Thursday whether the public will be barred from the hearing.

• The Core Investigation: Carrim is a critical witness in the probe into the criminal infiltration of law enforcement agencies and a controversial R360 million SAPS medical tender. Investigators are untangling a web of multimillion-rand payments involving him, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala, and Tembisa Hospital looting figure Morgan Maumela.

The commission is determined to find out if the businessman is genuinely incapacitated or if he has been "taking liberties" with the country's justice system.

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Do you think witnesses who use medical excuses to avoid testifying at commissions should face immediate criminal charges if they are caught out in public?