North West businessman arrested over Madlanga Commission no-show

A 49-year-old North West businessman has been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over his alleged failure to return to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry after being asked to provide additional documentation.

The man was arrested on Thursday night, 16 October 2026, shortly before he was due to board an international flight with his family.

Police have not publicly identified the suspect, who is also under investigation in a separate fraud and corruption case linked to the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in North West.

He is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Was the arrested businessman Suliman Carrim?

Media reports have identified the businessman as Suliman Carrim, a former ANC North West regional treasurer. However, police have not confirmed his identity.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the suspect was flagged at the airport by the police’s cold case unit in connection with an investigation into alleged fraud and corruption involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

Members of the SAPS Commission Recommendations Task Team and the cold case unit subsequently arrested him.

Mathe said the businessman had previously appeared before the Madlanga Commission but was later required to return and provide further documentation.

According to police, he failed to provide valid reasons for not appearing again when requested to do so.

Criminal case opened over commission no-show

The commission’s secretary subsequently opened a criminal case, which was registered and investigated by the Commission Recommendations Task Team.

Mathe said the commission operates with the authority of a court, meaning witnesses who are subpoenaed are expected to cooperate with its proceedings.

She added that investigators had been searching for the suspect and described him as having become evasive.

Police said the arrest was linked to the outstanding investigation into his alleged failure to appear before the inquiry.

Mathe said authorities wanted to ensure that people mentioned before the commission, particularly those who had been subpoenaed, appeared to respond to the matters raised.

Was he attempting to flee South Africa?

The arrest prompted speculation that the businessman may have been attempting to leave South Africa to avoid the investigation.

However, Mathe said police did not have evidence to support that claim.

She confirmed that the suspect had a return ticket and was travelling with his wife and family.

At this stage, police have not established that the trip was an attempt to evade the commission or the separate investigation.

Separate fraud and corruption investigation

Mathe also confirmed that the businessman is being investigated in connection with alleged fraud and corruption involving the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality.

She said the cold case unit had been working on the matter since last year and that the investigation was at an advanced stage.

However, because the case remains active and sensitive, police would not disclose further details.

Mathe explained that authorities had initially withheld the suspect’s identity because he had not yet appeared in court.

She said he could be publicly identified after appearing before a magistrate and being formally charged.

The businessman is expected to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Friday, where further details about the case may emerge.

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Source: The Citizen