Businessman Suliman Carrim has been granted R100,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court under stringent conditions, including a ban on international travel and restrictions on his movements, following his arrest for allegedly failing to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry.
Despite his bail being granted, he remains behind bars until he appears in a court in Musina, Limpopo.
Carrim, who was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on 15 October 2026 while preparing to board an international flight, is facing a charge of contravening Section 6(1) of the Commissions Act 8 of 1947.
The charge relates to his alleged failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission after being warned to do so on 14 August 2026.
Following his alleged failure to appear, a criminal case was registered and investigated by the Commission’s Recommendations Task Team, ultimately leading to his arrest.
During bail proceedings, the State opposed Carrim’s release, arguing that he posed a flight risk and was likely to evade trial.
The prosecution relied on the circumstances surrounding his arrest at the airport to support its argument that he could attempt to leave the country to avoid prosecution.
However, the court granted Carrim bail subject to strict conditions aimed at ensuring his attendance at future court proceedings and his cooperation with the Commission.
In terms of the bail order, Carrim’s passport, which is currently in the possession of the investigating officer, will remain confiscated until the completion of his trial and the finalisation of his testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
He has also been ordered to surrender any other international travel documents in his possession within 24 hours of his release.
Carrim is prohibited from applying for a replacement passport or obtaining any international travel documents without prior written permission from the court.
He may not leave South Africa without the court’s written authorisation.
The court further ordered Carrim to remain at his verified residential address in Mafikeng, North West, unless permission is granted for him to relocate.
His movements will also be restricted, with the businessman prohibited from travelling outside the Mafikeng Magisterial District without written permission from the investigating officer.
Carrim must report in person to the Mmabatho police station every Monday between 6am and 9am.
He is also required to provide the investigating officer with his current cellphone number and notify the officer in writing within 24 hours of any changes to his contact details.
In a further condition directly linked to the charge against him, Carrim has been ordered to report in person to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry within 48 hours of his release from custody to arrange his next appearance before the inquiry.
The court also imposed strict requirements relating to any future failure to attend proceedings on medical grounds.
Should Carrim become medically unfit to attend court, he must notify his legal representative and the investigating officer and provide medical evidence detailing his condition and inability to attend.
The court made it clear that a medical certificate alone would not automatically excuse his absence from proceedings, unless a genuine medical emergency or physical incapacity prevented him from attending.
Carrim was warned that failure to comply with any of the bail conditions could result in a warrant being issued for his arrest.
He could subsequently be arrested, subjected to a bail inquiry and ordered to remain in custody until the criminal matter is finalised.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana confirmed that the matter had been postponed to 8 December 2026 for disclosure of the docket.