R100,000 bail buys Carrim no freedom — for now

R100,000 bail buys Carrim no freedom — for now

Pretoria – North West businessman Suliman Carrim has been granted R100,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court in a case linked to his alleged failure to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, although he remains in custody over a separate matter in Limpopo. 

Magistrate Marc Curlewis delivered the ruling on Wednesday, 28 October, finding that the concerns raised by the state could be addressed through strict bail conditions. 

According to The Citizen, the decision followed a last-minute attempt by prosecutor Donald Shiko to reopen the state’s opposition to bail, citing additional information relating to another criminal case and properties allegedly associated with Carrim and his wife. 

Carrim’s defence team opposed the application, arguing that the court was ready to deliver its judgment and that the prosecution had not placed the proposed new evidence on record. 

“No evidence has been placed on record as to what the state intends to bring to the court’s attention, so I submit that the application should be refused, Your Worship,” defence lawyer Ulrich Roux told the court. 

The magistrate allowed the state to make further submissions but ultimately proceeded with the judgment.  

The prosecution argued that Carrim’s pending case in the Musina Magistrate’s Court, where he faces charges including attempted theft of motor vehicles, fraud and uttering, was relevant to the bail decision. 

Shiko also questioned whether the court had been given a complete picture of properties linked to Carrim and his wife, arguing that the information raised concerns about whether the businessman might flee the country. 

Roux rejected the argument, saying the Musina case was separate from the proceedings in Pretoria. He also pointed out that Carrim’s residential address in North West had been verified by police. 

The state had opposed bail partly on the grounds that Carrim could evade trial after his arrest at OR Tambo International Airport on 15 October, when he was preparing to travel to Saudi Arabia via the United Arab Emirates. 

However, the court considered his ties to South Africa and a verified return flight booking following his trips abroad. 

According to IOL, the court found that the state had not presented sufficient evidence to show that Carrim would evade trial or posed a danger to the community. 

In granting bail, Curlewis said the risks identified in the case could be addressed through appropriate conditions rather than continued detention. 

The ruling does not amount to a finding on Carrim’s guilt in the charges he faces. 

Although bail was granted in the Pretoria matter, Carrim will remain behind bars because of the separate criminal proceedings in Musina. 

The case stems from a July incident at the Beitbridge border post, where police intercepted two vehicles allegedly being transported towards Zimbabwe for onward movement to Malawi. Investigators allege that fraudulent documentation was arranged after the required authorisation for transporting the vehicles could not be obtained. 

Carrim is accused of being involved in the alleged scheme. The charges remain allegations to be tested in court. 

As reported by Daily Sun, the Pretoria court imposed strict conditions, including requirements that Carrim attend court proceedings, surrender his passport and report to a police station every Monday. 

The Pretoria case was postponed to 8 December for disclosure of the case docket. 

Carrim faces a separate charge under the Commissions Act relating to his alleged failure to return to the Madlanga Commission after previously giving evidence in March. 

He was expected to continue testifying in April but subsequently cited health problems for his absence. His repeated non-attendance prompted the commission to require him to appear in person. 

The commission has been examining allegations of corruption and criminality within South Africa’s criminal justice system. 

Carrim’s bail ruling allows him to be released in the Pretoria matter subject to the court’s conditions, but his continued detention means he will remain in custody while the separate Musina case proceeds. 

Picture: X/@Abramjee

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com

Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi

 

Article written by